Chapter Three: The Dream
"Go!" Moiraine shouted as Alessia turned her heels and ran again. She could hear the shouting and swords clashing against each other as she ran. Her leg was hurting but she didn't care. She pushed on. Feeling her lungs burn as a thumping of hooves was now following her. She shouted before moving in a zigzag like motion through the woods. Trying to avoid the creature at all cost. It was over six feet tall. Mouth like a boar, horns coming from its head. Legs like a massive goat. She could smell the stench coming from it. The thick trees silenced the sounds that were coming from her and from Moiraine. Her heart rate went up due to fear. Feeling her own feet hit the ground as she ran. She kept going straight forward as much as she could. She could hear voices not far up ahead. There were a few women in red walking around camp.
"Up here!" One of the reds shouted as she spotted Alessia running. A loud defending roar was sounded as Alessia felt a sharp hit on her back that sent her flying off her feet. There was searing pain on her back now. Screaming as she landed hard on her feet. Feeling her body roll as she hit the ground. Grunting in pain as she stood up. The large creature roared and jumped. Landing in the middle of camp. The ground by her had shook a little. There was now silence all over the camp.
"Trolloc!" A voice shouted. Alessia began to channel in any way she could. Shouting at it as she released the energy. Sending backwards off its feet. She raised her arm as the weave was circling her wrist as she flicked her arm to the side. Slicing the creature in half. She was now gasping for air as she was catching her breath. Her lungs were still burning as she looked around.
"Who is she?" A red asked as Alessia looked towards the voice.
"Alessia?" A familiar voice spoke. She turned to look at the owner of the voice. "You can channel?" It was Liandrin.
"Why is she here? How did she find us?" The other red asked.
"Hush sister Tarna." Liandrin raised her hand to shush Tarna. "Answer her." Liandrin spoke. Alessia finally had a name to the face of this red she had seen years ago.
"We were attacked!" Alessia began to speak.
"We?" Liandrin asked. She nodded her head quickly before answering the question.
"Moiraine Sedai! Lan! Half a mile that way!" She pointed to where she came from.
"Go! Help our sister!" Liandrin shouted at two green sisters who mounted horses and took off. Alessia felt her vision go blurry as she staggered a little.
"She's injured." Tarna spoke as Alessia's vision went dark as she fell backwards. Feeling a pair of arms catch her to break her fall.
"Is she alive?" The voice of Moiraine was nearby.
"Yes. She's healed. No scar is left." Liandrin's voice came. "What are you doing with her?" The woman in red asked.
"I went back to the Two Rivers. Just passing through. When it happened. I saw her channel. There was a Eyeless in the village." Moiraine spoke.
"Nonsense. There hasn't been a Eyeless in a thousand years." Liandrin spoke.
"She speaks the truth." Alessia mumbled lightly. She was lying on her stomach. She was in a bed as a blanket was covering her lower half of her body. She was naked on her top half. She shifted a little. Feeling a gentle hand push her back.
"I know she is telling the truth. An Aes Sedai cannot lie. An oath we take when we rise to the shawl. Also, the healer isn't done with you yet." Liandrin spoke. Alessia nodded and grumbled a little. Resting her head back on the pillow.
"Why is there a man caged and shielded?" Moiraine asked as Alessia was listening in.
"He claims to be the Dragon. Showed his strength by destroying a village and killing the innocents within it. He is to stand trial in front of the Amyrlin Seat." Liandrin answered.
"Only a fool would claim the title to do such a thing." Moiraine spoke.
"There hasn't been a Dragon in thousands of years either. Many believe that it will never be reborn again." The red spoke. Hearing the tent flap open as a woman in green came in. She was shorter than Moiraine. Her face was kind. Light brown eyes and long brown hair that was put up in several braids.
"Sister Alanna. She just woke up." Liandrin spoke.
"Ah. What is your name dear?" Alanna asked as she moved into Alessia's sight.
"Her name is Alessia." Moiraine spoke.
"She can talk, Moiraine." Liandrin spoke.
"I'm Alessia Solace. From Andor." Alessia spoke softly. Keeping her eyes upon the woman in green.
"I'm Alanna. The healer told me what happened. There was poison in her. We managed to scalp some of it and sent it to Lillen Sedai. She should be able to tell us what it was." Alanna spoke. Alessia felt fingers against her skin on her back. She jumped from the touch.
"Just trying to heal you my dear." Alanna spoke.
"Sorry. I'm not used to touching." Alessia replied. She relaxed again as she felt the warm sensation from Alanna's touch. Like Moiraine's from earlier.
"All done dear. You can dress now." Alanna spoke as Alessia nodded her head. It seemed that Moiraine and Alanna had left the tent but Liandrin. Alessia sat up, covering herself with the blanket. She could feel the light blue eyes watching her.
"Why did you lie?" Liandrin asked her. Sitting down on the bed across from her. Their eyes met.
"I don't trust you. Or any Aes Sedai." Alessia replied.
"Why?" Liandrin asked. Alessia frowned at this. She was thinking for a moment.
"It was what I was taught." Alessia replied.
"You were taught ignorance." Liandrin spoke. It felt like a slap to the face. She was not wrong. The Aes Sedai had been nothing but kind to her. "They hid you from you. From who you really are." The woman in red added.
"I'm sorry." Was all she could say. Looking down to her feet as the bed shifted next to her. Feeling her shoulder rubbed.
"It's alright. It just shows me that you have room to grow and learn. We all do." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded her head. "Now, from my understanding, you are a channeler. We'll be taking you to the Tower with us." The woman in red added. Alessia nodded her head. She watched the woman hand her the bag she had.
Wait." Alessia spoke as she opened a side pocket. She pulled out the chain of the rings and handed it to Liandrin. The woman's eyes went wide as she sat back down.
"Where did you?" She began to ask. She held the rings to her chest like she was hugging them.
"Ten years ago. My parents and I were captured by the White Cloaks. I woke up too late for them." Alessia spoke. There were tears in her eyes. "I found the rings after I destroyed the camp." She spoke. Watching the woman in red kneel in front of her. Taking Alessia's hands into her own.
"You kept them safe all these years. It is only fitting for you to hold onto them longer and take them to the fire at the Tower." Liandrin spoke as she placed the rings back into Alessia's hands.
"Shouldn't it be a sister who does that?" Alessia asked.
"Normally yes but you have been their protector for years." The woman in red replied as she stood up. Cupping Alessia's cheeks as she leaned in and kissed her forehead. Alessia did not know what was going on but her body was overreacting in ways she could not explain. Her body heat rose. She wanted more of this woman. Her touch. It was gentle as if she knew it well. Her heart was calm as she felt something inside of her come alive.
It was not long after Alessia had changed her clothes and was outside of the tent. Keeping her distance from the others. She was still weary. She was leaning against a tree while looking around the camp.
"Thought I'd find you somewhere not far." Liandrin spoke. Alessia smiled weakly before looking back to the bonfire that was cooking dinner.
"Tell me about the Tower?" Alessia asked.
"Come. Sit." Liandrin spoke as she nodded. Sitting down on a fallen tree near the red ajah.
"There are eight ajahs in the Tower. Gray, white, brown, red, blue, yellow, green, black with white." Liandrin began as Alessia was listening closely.
"Each one has its own beliefs and goals. Red for example. My ajah. We make sure people do not abuse the One Power that we are born with. Like that man. He killed innocents. We are to police the power." She explained. It seemed like a wonderful thing to do. Making sure it was in check.
"Blue. Like Moiraine. Their job is to find any threats and let us know. Like what happened earlier. The sky. The Faceless. Trollocs. She has a network of spies that she uses to gather information on the goings in the world. Yellow are our healers. Green are the battle ajahs. We didn't need them until recently. We kept green around for tradition. Brown is the keeper of knowledge. For old and new. Gray sisters favor harmony and consensus. If it weren't for them, our cities would be in constant war with each other. The white ajah questions philosophy and seeks the truth in things." Liandrin spoke. Alessia felt her head hurt a little. There was so much she had yet to still learn.
"Now, the black and white was only recently made a few hundred years ago. They dedicate themselves to the science of things. Experiment with one's power. They do research and what not. Some of them enjoy teaching like some of the grays while the others tend to be in their own research." Liandrin spoke. She nodded her head to show she understood. "Once an Accepted is risen to the shawl, she picks an ajah she finds that fits her the most." The woman in red added.
"What about a warder? What are they?" Alessia asked. Liandrin shook her head.
"They are nothing but glorified dogs in my opinion." She spoke. Alessia giggled at this lightly. Covering her mouth as she did. Seeing Liandrin smile at her made her cheeks flush a light pink.
"Anyways. We can choose to have a warder or not. Green is the only ajah who has more than one if they wish. There's no closer bond than a warder and their Aes Sedai. Unless it's a lover's bond between an Aes Sedai and their lover." Liandrin explained. Alessia raised a brow. She didn't exactly understand what the woman in red meant. She decided to push that thought away.
"Once you sign your name in the Book of Novices, you start out as a Novice. They have chores and classes." Liandrin spoke. Alessia frowned at this. Chores she could handle, classes as in learning, she wasn't sure. She was afraid she would get behind. "I can see the disappointment in your eyes." Liandrin spoke.
"No. It's not that. I am slowly liking the sound of the Tower. It's just." Alessia stopped and looked away with a sigh.
"What is it dear?" Liandrin asked. Her eyes watching Alessia.
"I'm afraid that I will not know anything. That I will be behind on learning." She explained.
"Well, if you are lucky, a sister will take you under her wing. Though, I have to admit it is very rare." The woman in red spoke as she was now looking in the camp.
"What do you mean?" Alessia asked. She figured the more questions she asked, the more she would understand.
"Usually when a sister takes a Novice under her wing it usually means more than what it sounds. It means the sister has a personal interest in the Novice or Accepted. Only when the girl is of age." Liandrin explained. Alessia raised a brow at her. She still didn't understand.
"But, if taking under the wing means just teaching, wouldn't the woman be lucky to gain more knowledge?" Alessia asked.
"Not exactly. Yes, she will learn more if there are lessons between the two but it's more of an intimate thing. More than a pillow friend." The red ajah spoke.
"What's a pillow friend?" Alessia asked. Hearing a chuckle from Liandrin.
"Novices and Accepteds are encouraged to have close personal friends called pillow friends. Someone you talk to in bed with. Cry with and relieve some tensions." Liandrin spoke. 'Tensions?' Alessia was even more confused. "Taking under the wing is more of a relationship kind of thing. It's complicated really. The Tower life. You'll learn as you go." Liandrin spoke as Alessia nodded her head. "Now, any sexual relations with men are prohibited as a Novice and Accepted." The older woman added.
"No worries from me there." Alessia spoke. Not realizing she just outed herself.
"I had a feeling." Liandrin spoke softly. She was watching Alessia rather closely and this made her blush.
They had been talking for a while about the Tower. It's classes, politics, and tests that were done before going up to the next step. Alessia found that she liked red ajah or the black and white ajah. Learning was something she liked to do. Maybe brown would be best? She didn't want to put too much effort in thinking about it right now. Life at the Tower didn't seem so bad after all. Maybe she could trust the Aes Sedai after all. There was a person in black that rode into the camp. There was silence as Alessia watched Liandrin stand up and walked over to the person. She was handed a letter. Alessia watched Liandrin with a curious look. Knowing it was not her business. Watching the woman in red leave to enter a new tent. It was a green tent. A blue one was recently set up. Seeing Liandrin pop her head out and waved at Alessia. She stood up and walked over. It was a short walk as she entered the tent. Seeing Moiraine and Alanna sitting next to each other.
"Where have you been?" Moiraine asked as Alessia sat down on a pillow.
"With me. I was educating her on some things about the Tower." Liandrin spoke.
"You are not taking her under your wing." Moiraine spoke. There seemed to be some tensions in the air between the two.
"Relax Moiraine. I do not know her that well and besides, she is not a Novice or Accepted yet either." Liandrin spoke. Alessia kept her silence as Alanna was watching her with a gentle smile. "Anyways, a rider came delivering a message. It's from Sister Lillen and Sister Lanfear. They have the results of the poison. It's Trolloc poison. They are meeting us at our next destination. They want to examine Alessia." Liandrin spoke. Alessia felt uneasy at this. She stood up and left the tent. Seeing the others packing up the camp after eating.
"Where are you going?" Liandrin asked as she followed Alessia out of the tent.
"I can't go anywhere. I'll always be found." Alessia spoke as she crossed her arms.
"True. We can track you since you touched the Source." The woman in red spoke.
"But yet you didn't." She replied to Liandrin.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Back when I was ten. I channeled in that White Cloaks camp. No one came." Alessia replied. Putting her hands behind her back as she was watching.
"I do not know why. I wish I did. It's not normal for us to lose track of a channeler." Liandrin spoke as the tents were now getting taken down.
"Alessia. Come." It was Moiraine calling her. She looked at Liandrin and then took her leave to the woman in blue. She was now out of sight as Alessia was helping Moiraine fold the tent up.
"You need to stay away from her." Moiraine spoke to Alessia who gave her a raised brow. She could feel the tension between the red and blue from earlier.
"Why?" She asked. "She's been nothing but kind." Alessia spoke.
"If they get a sense on how powerful you are, they will all go after you. Each wanting to take you in and train you to pick their ajah." Moiraine spoke.
"That isn't a bad thing? I want to learn everything I can." Alessia spoke softly as she handed an end of the tent to Moiraine as she held it.
"You will have classes for your learning. Just keep your distance from my sisters. They've been honing their skills for decades. They will get a sense of your power. When that time comes, keep your head down and your wits about you." Moiraine spoke. She nodded as she helped pack up the camp as she slowly walked over to the horses as Moiraine held her hand out. Alessia grabbed it as she mounted the horse the woman in blue was on.
"Let us head out! We have a long ride." Alanna's voice carried over the wind. Alessia's eyes caught Tarna's who winked at her as she followed Liandrin. Moiraine kicked her horse's side to get it moving. They started slowly and then into a gallop. Alessia found her arms around Moiraine's middle to keep her from falling off the horse. Lan was riding next to them.
Night had fallen as they came to another clearing in the forest.
"Here is our next spot." Alanna shouted as they all stopped. The man in the cage was laughing as he was then shielded again by another green. Alessia had learned her name was Kerene. She looked strong and had seen many things in her lifetime. Alessia was curious about the green ajah. She hopped off the horse and stumbled a little. Feeling Lan hold her shoulders to balance her. She nodded her thanks as she offered her hand to Moiraine. The woman smiled with her blue eyes and took Alessia's hand and dismounted.
"Come. Help me set up the blue tent. There's room for you in it." Moiraine spoke. Alessia nodded her head as she walked over to the wagon. The man was staring at her.
"How does it feel?" He asked her. She raised a brow at him.
"How does it feel?" She asked. She slowly pulled the blue tent off the wagon.
"All that power inside of you." He replied.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She spoke as she felt a presence by her. It was Liandrin listening in.
"You haven't unlocked your true potential." He spoke and started laughing like a mad man.
"Pay no attention to him. He is mad." Liandrin spoke as she came up from behind Alessia. She looked over her shoulder and nodded her head. Though, the man was not wrong. She took her leave from the red ajah who gave her a frown. She remembered Moiraine's warning about the others. She limped across camp which gave her concerned looks from the others. Alessia ignored them as she handed Moiraine the tent.
"Thank you. Come." She spoke as they unfolded the blue fabric. Lan had brought over the poles as they began to set it up. It did not take long as Alessia was smiling. Looking at their handy work of setting the tent up.
"Well done." Moiraine spoke as they entered it. Alessia helped make the makeshift beds inside as she sighed. Sitting down. The tent door opened as Tarna came inside.
"Sorry for the intrusion. Alessia. Will you join me on a watch?" The woman in red spoke.
"She needs to rest." Moiraine spoke.
"No. I should be helping for my share." Alessia spoke as she stood up. Moiraine gave her a look and then nodded.
"Very well. Just remember what I've said." Moiraine spoke as Alessia nodded her head. She turned and followed Tarna out of the tent. Seeing the woman ahead of her as she moved faster to keep up. Her leg hurt in the process but pushed on without complaint. They came to the edge of the camp and walked around slowly. Keeping their eyes and ears opened.
"So, tell me. How did you come across Moiraine Sedai?" Tarna asked as she was standing with her hands behind her back.
"It was several years ago actually. I met her and Liandrin Sedai." Alessia spoke as she saw the red looking at her. Listening to every word she said. "My friend Jane and I were playing in the streets. The ball went past me and I ran to get it. Met Moiraine in an alleyway. Hours later I met Liandrin at the dinner party at Jane's home." Alessia spoke.
"No wonder Liandrin is interested in you." Tarna spoke. Alessia raised her brow in question. "When that night happened, your parents took you and left the city right?" Tarna asked as Alessia nodded her head. "They followed you. They saw what happened at that camp. They lost track of you and thought you were dead when you jumped off that cliff." Tarna spoke. Alessia frowned at this. So, they did follow her to the cliff.
"She thought you were insane doing what you did. We all thought you died that day." Tarna added. "Then they saw you again four years ago." The red ajah added.
"She knew I lied." Alessia spoke softly.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I told her I couldn't channel. Then again, it wasn't exactly a lie. Ever since that day, I couldn't channel until the sky shattered." Alessia explained as they heard two horses galloping into camp. Two black cloaked figures.
"Ah, they are here." Tarna spoke.
"Who?" Alessia asked as her question was answered for her. Her heart rate went up when she saw her.
"Stop!" A voice shouted. It seemed the man had escaped his cage. Seeing him run, Tarna moved quickly as she weaved a shield. Alessia saw the weave and was in awe. The man hit it and changed course. Alessia then ran after him.
"Alessia no!" Tarna shouted. She ignored the red and ran after the man.
"Come back!" She shouted as she ran into the forest away from the camp.
"They will come!" The man shouted. Feeling the pain increase in her leg as she ignored it. She did not want this man to get away. He was in fact a murderer. Hearing footsteps behind her as the reds gave chase as well. Seeing the man trip and fall as Alessia reached out and grabbed it. Feeling the power circle her as the man stood up. He shot a fireball at her. Recreating the weave she saw from Tarna and deflected it.
"Is that all you got?" He taunted her. She pushed the energy forward from her. Hitting the man as he went flying off his feet. Landing with a grunt. Moving her hands forward and together. Creating some form of shield.
"Who are you?" Tarna asked as she looked at Alessia. She was more focused on the man before he broke through her shield. Knocking her off her feet.
"So weak! Pathetic!" The man shouted. She stood back up and began to move her arms.
"Stand down Alessia. You are not trained." Moiraine's voice came. Alessia dropped her arms and frowned as the woman in blue placed a hand upon her shoulder.
"Let the reds take care of him. You did well." Moiraine added as Alessia sighed.
They arrived back in camp as Alessia was basically hopping to the blue tent. Ignoring any looks she had received. She sat on the bed as the tent opened as Moiraine came in. Followed by Liandrin.
"Where did you learn that weave?" Liandrin asked.
"Tarna Sedai. I saw her use it once." Alessia replied.
"You saw a weave once and recreated it. I'm impressed." Liandrin was smiling at her. For some reason this smile made her smile and blushed as she looked to the side.
"How is your leg?" Moiraine asked.
"Her leg? What do you mean?" Liandrin asked.
"May I ask you to leave, sister Liandrin." Moiraine spoke. The red looked at Moiraine with an angry look before taking her leave. A slight storming off. The blue ajah then looked at Alessia who was still looking down.
"How is your leg?" Moiraine asked again.
"It's fine." Alessia replied. She lied as she shifted her body on the bed. She felt Moiraine walk over to her and knelt down. Pulling the leg sleeve up to examine it.
"You're not a healer." Alessia spoke quietly
"No. We are taught basic healing just in case." Moiraine spoke as she relieved some of the pain.
"You can' keep doing this." Alessia added. Seeing the woman in blue stand up and take a seat on her bed. Lan had come into the tent.
"Doing what?" Moiraine asked.
"Take the pain from my leg. I'll have it for the rest of my life." Alessia replied as she lifted her leg onto her bed.
"Why should one suffer pain if it can be taken away?" Moiraine asked. Alessia frowned at this. The older woman wasn't wrong.
"They are ready to see her." Lan spoke as two more people came into the tent. Lanfear Sedai and Lillen Sedai. Alessia was avoiding eye contact.
"She's healed. There is no reason to look over her." Moiraine spoke as she stood up and in front of Alessia.
"We are curious as to how her body took the poison." Lanfear spoke.
"I am sure Alessia will be fine." Lillen spoke.
"How did you know it was her? I did not say a name." Moiraine asked.
"I know that scent." Lillen spoke again. Alessia blushed at this.
"Be quick about it." Moiraine spoke coldly. She watched the blue ajah take her leave along with Lan. It seemed like Moiraine did not trust any of her sisters. She watched Lanfear take her cloak off and set it to the side. As did Lillen. Alessia felt intimated in their presence.
"Shirt off." Lanfear instructed. Alessia did not move. Her eyes were still on the taller woman. Feeling a gentle hand on her arm as Lillen was moving her shirt for her. It was now off as Lanfear was writing things down. Alessia covered her chest that had her bindings on it.
"Stand up for me. Face away." Lanfear spoke as Alessia did. Feeling her hair moved onto her shoulder as fingers traced across her back.
"Tell me. How did it happen?" Lanfear asked. Lillen grabbed her arm and rubbed the crease above her elbow.
"I'm going to draw blood." She spoke as she pulled out a needle looking tool with a tube attached. Alessia's eyes went wide at this. Feeling a pinch as she gasped. Watching her blood drawn into the tube.
"It. I um." Alessia stuttered her words a little. Lanfear was more focused on where the wound was. "Center of my back. It was a Trolloc. Moiraine Sedai, Lan and I were running from it." Alessia spoke as she put her shirt back on. Sitting back down as there was laughter in the camp outside the tent.
"Why were you with Moiraine?" Lanfear asked as she took notes.
"She's taking me to the Tower before the attack happened. She told me where to find her sisters." Alessia replied quietly.
"So, you can channel." Lanfear spoke. Alessia nodded. Watching the taller woman take her leave from the tent.
"I should help keep a lookout." Alessia spoke and quickly left the tent where Lillen was quietly standing. She knew the woman was working with a vial of her blood. It was not long when she found Tarna leaning against a tree.
"Mind if I join you?" Alessia asked. The woman in red nodded.
"Of course not." Tarna spoke as Alessia looked around the camp. "You've caught the attention of my sisters." Tarna added. Alessia gave her a questioning look.
"Why?" She asked.
"You saw a weave once and recreated it. It takes time to perfect a weave. You did it instantly." Tarna explained.
"I just did what came to me." Alessia spoke as she crossed her arms.
"I know. Truth be told, whatever happened to the sky or whatever it was, I am glad you are with us. We do not know what's coming but something is. Best we be ready for it." Tarna spoke as she took her leave. It left goosebumps on Alessia's arms.
She was pondering not far from camp as she found a pathway in the woods. It was by a river. She was barefooted as she stepped into the water. It felt cold and refreshing.
"So, this is where you went off to." A soft voice spoke as Alessia turned to face the sound of the voice. It was Lillen.
"I wanted to clear my head." Alessia spoke.
"Mmm. Yes. It can get overwhelming. The mind." Lillen spoke as she moved closer but stopped by the edge of the water.
"I don't think it's my mind at all. Just everything I am learning." Alessia spoke as she moved out of the river and dried her feet off before putting her shoes back on. Her personal space was invaded by Lillen.
"Sweet. Floral." Lillen spoke. Alessia leaned in and took in Lillen's scent. It was musk.
"Forestry." Alessia spoke. This made Lillen smile as she could just make out the older woman's eyes dilate at this. Lillen grabbed Alessia's left wrist to look at it.
"You do not have it anymore?" She asked.
"It burned my skin and fell off. When the sky shattered." Alessia spoke.
"It's why we couldn't trace you. It somehow masked your power from us. It's rare and illegal." Lillen spoke. So it made sense! Alessia moved slowly away from the older woman who was watching her closely.
"Why are you limping?" She asked. Alessia sighed and looked down.
"I broke my leg. Ten years ago. The Wisdom did what she could." Alessia spoke.
"May I see it?" Lillen asked. Alessia nodded. Watching the older woman offer her an arm. Alessia took it. It made it easier for her to get back to the camp. Moiraine caught her eyes. There was a concerned look on her face. They entered a different tent where Lanfear was eating her dinner while speaking to a man she had never seen before.
"Ishamael. This is Alessia. Alessia. Ishamael." Lanfear introduced them. Alessia gave the man a bow before watching them leave. Lillen waved her hand to a bed. Alessia sat down and moved her leg onto it. Feeling the gentle fingers tracing along the scar as she was weaving something. She didn't question it.
"I can do some research on setting it correctly." Lillen spoke softly.
"Don't bother." Alessia replied. The older woman's eyes looked into hers.
"It's already set. It's impossible. It's been ten years." Alessia spoke.
"Nothing is impossible." Lillen spoke. For some reason she believed her. Seeing the tent door open as Moiraine stood there.
"Alessia, come. Time to get some rest." Moraine spoke.
"She's not a child, sister Moiraine." Lillen spoke. Moiraine got into Lillen's personal space.
"Stay away from her." She spoke in a low warning tone. With that, Moiraine left in a hurry. Alessia frowned looking at Lillen.
"Don't worry about me. Get some rest." Lillen spoke. Alessia nodded her head. She touched Lillen's shoulder. The first time she had touched anyone else. There was a small electric shock that shocked both of them. They both gasped. Alessia had no idea what this meant. She quickly took her leave back to the other tent. The blue one where she was supposed to be staying.
"Lillen and Lanfear are our scientists. You stay clear of them." Moiraine spoke.
"Stay clear of all your sisters. Got it." Alessia spoke.
"You think I am joking?" Moiraine asked. Alessia shook her head as she sat down. "I am only trying to protect you." The older woman added.
"From what?" Alessia asked.
"In time you will know. For now. Rest." Moiraine spoke. The woman in blue touched Alessia's cheek. Caressing it with her thumb before she turned to head to her bed. Alessia changed quickly and crawled into the bed she was staying in. She sighed softly. Hearing Lan's footsteps occasionally outside the tent as he kept watch.
Alessia yawned lightly as she sat up in her bed. Coughing a little from the cold air. She looked around and there was no one in the tent.
"Moiraine?" Alessia asked as she stood up. Walking perfectly normally. She looked at her leg. There was no scar. 'Huh.' She thought as she walked out of the tent as she grabbed the blue cloak Moiraine had given her. The camp was cleared away. There was laughing as she looked around. Wrapping the cloak tightly around her body as she heard footsteps.
"Hello?" She asked. Coughing again as she cleared her throat. She stood by the campfire that was lit. Trying to get warm as she shivered a little. She turned quickly. Looking around. Birds were falling from midair. Dropping dead all around her as if their necks snapped on their own. Then she saw it. A man taller than her. Dark as the shadows. Eyes burning like embers from fire. Alessia gasped and stepped back from him. He raised his arm at her and began walking slowly towards her. Alessia felt fear rise inside of her.
"Who are you? What do you want?" She asked. The man did not answer but only walked towards her slowly. Out of nowhere she heard a blast of air. Sending the man away. She looked around to where the power came from. There she saw Lillen. Weaving faster than anyone she saw.
"Moghedien…" The shadowed man whispered. Alessia gasped as a shadow was moving across the ground. She could hear tiny legs as thousands of spiders were crawling towards the shadowed figure. Lillen sent another weave at the man. Hearing a shout as Alessia looked back. The shadowed figure was on his knees. There were webs surrounding him. Alessia gasped. She turned her attention back to Lillen. Her fingers were connected by some form of a web weave.
"Alessia. Come." Lillen spoke to her. She did without question. She ran. Following Lillen into the woods.
"What happened? What's going on?" Alessia asked. She only received silence as her answers as they came upon another clearing. She stopped and watched the older woman weaving. There was a shimmering wall surrounding them. Alessia was looking around before she felt hands on her. Pulling her close.
"You're safe now, my love." Lillen spoke. Their foreheads touched gently.
"I. What?" Alessia was confused. Her heart was racing at this. She wanted to know what was going on.
"You must wake up." Lillen spoke. The older woman had a hand on Alessia's hip and the other around her middle. Holding her close and protectively.
"I don't understand!" Alessia shouted.
"Wake up!" Lillen shouted at her.