linuxmafia.com 2016/linuxmafia.com.tar/linuxmafia.com/pub/jordan/ATWT/g8sum

Text File | 1995-04-27 | 12KB | 260 lines

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Hi,

This is Ken Kofman, sending out yet another _As The Wheel Turns_
posting.  I suppose I should put some sort of copyright notice
on this, so here goes:

Copyright, Ken Kofman (c) 1994.  All rights reserved except for
those that Tor and Robert Jordan deserve, and except that anyone
who wants to copy this material may do so, so long it remains
unaltered, including this notice, and so long as no fees of
any kind are charged for its use.

In other words, enjoy it, show it to all your friends, be inspired
to run your own game, but since I'm not making any money off of
this, you shouldn't either.

I hope I did that right.

Anyway,

KenK        [e-mail]

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Creation

Nine Rods rule over all
Eight Ajah preserve and fall
Seven Ages of the Wheel
Six Bound to serve the dead
Five Flows create the Weave
Four Peoples born to live
Three Supports of all the worlds
Two Powers never to be whole
One Dragon on the winds of Time.


Summary of Session 8 of _As the Wheel Turns_  21-7-94

And so it was, even as the rains continued to fall, that
Akhel and Haemish did free Ulric Druss from where he
was trapped.  And Ulric Druss spoke about how he rose to
become a captain of Tear, though his mother had been of
Ilian, enemy of Tear.  Even as he continued to dig did Akhel
listen, for the name Ulric Druss was not unknown to
him though he knew not from where.

But when Ulric Druss finally emerged, his joy was bounded,
for his faithful guide, Hulin lay crushed beneath mud and
stone.  All eyes then turned to Ulric Druss, for he wore
the sword of a Blademaster, marked with a heron, and his
skill was manifest in his every move.  But Ulric did not
notice, for he too found himself amongst strange company,
silent Akhel to whom he claimed life-debt, and the Aiel
boy Haemish, and even Keilyndra din Djanin of the Atha'an
Miere, far from land.

Then did these return unto the others, for whom Phil had
prepared a traditional drink of the people of Earth,
distant mirror of the Wheel, a drink called Ha'choclaet.
Much joy did this beverage brink to Randy Carter and to
Jennifer, also from that place beyond the world.  But
Auric drank not, for he lay upon the ground asleep unto
the world.  His wounds were grievous, yet not beyond
Randy Carter to Heal, were she hale.  But Randy Carter
also did suffer during the landslide.  Her body bore
the chill of rock and mud.  Almost did she die, yet did
saidar sustain her in dream, for she did channel Air unto
herself that she might breathe even as she lay buried.
Healing was beyond her.

Thus did Randy Carter let her body rest, as did Jennifer,
also injured during the landslide, even as Akhel and Ulric
prepared for themselves a game of stones, almost a fourth
Support of all the worlds.  For Akhel's horse was one of
two that were found, and though the horse was dead, Akhel's
provisions remained.  But for himself Phil began to carve
from wood strange forms, in the fashion of the Great Game
of his people.  Keilyndra din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere
and young Haemish of the Taardad Aiel did survey the camp
together, that none might approach unawares though the
rain did fall.

And so it was that they did hear a rider through the clouds
and rain.  Silently they marked his progress, until his
purpose and destination were manifest.  Then did they
stand forth before this rider and Haemish did say "I am
Haemish, Water Seeker of the Taardad Aiel" even as rain
fell all about him, dripping from his hair and garments.
Yet was his spear lowered and face unveiled.  With great
caution did they eye this newcomer.  High above the ground
did he sit upon his majestic warhorse, and his robe did
seem to shift in its color.

Even as he was halted in his progress, did the strange
warrior reach for his sword, yet did Keilyndra Din Djanin
advise against his drawing a weapon in most certain terms.
She further demanded to know his name, and his purpose
for travelling through this enchanting yet desolate place.
Telas, did he declare himself, yet specified only the
most vague of travel plans, save that a momentary but
bright conflagration did attract this place to his notice,
for the tree which Phil utterly consumed through his
channeling of the One Power did not go unnoticed.

Then did Telas ask to share their camp and fire, that he
may dry himself off from the falling rain.  But neither
the child Haemish of the Taardad Aiel, nor Keilyndra
Din Djanin of the Atha'an Miere found favor with this
request, for in Telas they saw something they trusted
not, though they knew it not.  And so it was, that
Keilyndra Din Djanin offer Telas the sanctuary of their
meagre camp, arranged in haste, for she would not turn
away a weary traveller.  Yet one thing did she require
of Telas, that he bring not his sword into their camp.
But this Telas would not do, declaring himself a Warder,
though no Aes Sedai was near.

Then did Ulric Druss, Blademaster and captain of Tear,
stride forth from the cave in which he and the travellers
had taken shelter.  Determined was his stride, and his
eyes glittered with ice.  His hand lingered above the
hilt of his blade, emblazoned with the heron that announced
his prowess to all with eyes to see.  In simple but
strong words did Ulric Druss explain to Telas that he
may continue on his way, or warm himself by the fire
without his sword, or die upon Ulric's blade.

But this bold declaration did not sit well with Telas,
drawing his swrod in readiness for combat.  Jennifer of
Earth also found disfavor with direct confrontation, Aes
Sedai novice that she was.  Yet Ulric remained undeterred,
save for Akhel's dagger at his throat.  Always did Akhel
eschew combat in favor of more subtle solutions to the
problems that beset him, for a man's lifeblood can be
more easily poured out upon the ground than poured back
into his body.

With calm and deliberate words did Jennifer convince Telas
to surrender his weapon and join them, promising upon her
honor that neither she nor her companions would harm him
in the smallest way.  But in the manner of Aes Sedai her
words said other than what was heard.  Yet Telas gave his
sword into Jennifer's keeping, and shared in the warmth
of the cave.

But even as Telas entered the cave, did Auric cry out in
fear, shouting that he would never serve Telas again,
for he had ordered her dead and then killed her, but said
naught of whom she had been.  Yet Auric lay near the fire
in pain, not asleep yet not awake.  For he had been sorely
injured in the fall of rock and mud, and too weak was
Randy Carter to Heal him in even the smallest measure.

And further words did Auric speak, naming Telas Ishamael,
Betrayer of Hope, shouting that never would he forgive
what had been done to Klia.  Silent notice did Akhel take
of Auric's raving, even as Jennifer prepared tea and
Ha'choclaet.  But Keilyndra Din Djanin of the Atha'an
Miere was filled with silent contempt.

With bold strides did she stalk from the sheltering cave
into the rains that did soak through to the very skin.  But
the Sea Folk know water, and on the Sea of Storms there is
rain beside which this relentless torrent is like unto
a sunny day.  Then did Akhel join her, and spoke words
most unlike him, asking after the welfare and mood of
Keilyndra Din Djanin, for little escaped Akhel's silent
gaze.

Most surprised was Keilyndra to hear Akhel speak thusly, yet
did she assure him that all was well, save for her disgust
regarding the manner in which Telas had been taken into
the camp despite Auric and his obvious fear.  But Akhel
assured her that Telas was no less worthy of her trust
than others among her companions, and that Auric's words
were the ravings of a man not completely aware of his
surroundings.

And so it was, that Akhel and Keilyndra Din Djanin rejoined
the others.  Auric had since awakened from his disturbed
slumber, knowing not what he had spoken.  Little more was
spoken of this matter, save for a repetition of Auric's
words spoken unawares.  Many matters were discussed in that
time and in that place.

But in the morning, Randy Carter put forth her fullest efforts
to Heal Auric of his injuries, of his broken ribs and his
swollen head, yet lacked the endurance to repair his arm, for
she did sway upon her feet like one about to fall.  Phil did
search the outlying area for plants that could be eaten in
distress, for nearly all of the supplies had been lost with
the horses, save for those of Akhel, for he had found his horse
dead, yet were the saddlebags intact.

And even as Phil searched the  area for their lost horses and
for useful plants, did he come upon Selene and Tsari, who also
endured the rock, mud and rain apart from the rest, yet did
they live.  For Tsari did walk with bedraggled determination
before Selene, no less beautiful for all the gracious lady
must have suffered.  With dignified grace did she bear her
hardship, not revealing even a shiver though her discomfort
surely must have been exceeedingly great, for her white garments
were soaked through with water, almost transparent to the eye,
save for the stole of white fur about her shoulders, too small
to warm her.  Upon her horse did she sit as though the day were
warm, even as water streamed through her black hair.

And when Phil did offer unto Selene his own garment to protect
her against the rain, she did look upon him with great wonder.
Only then did she realize that more suitable garments lay in
her saddlebags, warm leather clothes of the purest white, proof
against cold and water.  Very different were these garments
from her gracious gowns, yet in no measure did they diminish
from her splendor.  And her laughter at her own forgetfullness was
like the long forgotten sun, shining forth upon the land.

And so it was late in the afternoon that preparations had been
made, and all of the companions were together, and Telas also
was in their company, for he made mention of a cabin in these
woods, not half of a day's journey from this meagre camp.  The
promise of a cabin and its provisions could not be ignored.  No
longer were these companions prepared to face the rigors of the
highest slopes, which surely they must cross before they reached
their destination, Manetherendrelle, that great city destroyed
during the Trolloc Wars two thousand years in the past.

And so it was after the sun had descended below the rim of the
world, even as the sky assumed its nocturnal darkness, that
Telas did halt their progress within the forest.  Then did he
go forth alone to search, for he declared the cabin unsafe on
behalf of Aes Sedai who did torment the few people who lived
in these parts.  Though Keilyndra Din Djanin and Akhel did stalk
his footsteps, yet did Telas evade their scrutiny, and in the
fullness of time did Telas return unto the others.  Only later
did the two return unto the others, not having found the cabin.

Then did Telas lead his new companions unto the secluded cabin,
yet was the place disturbed, as though someone had been searching
for something hidden, and cared not that evidence of the search
should be discovered.  Yet was the cabin sturdy and well provisioned,
though only for one person, and nearby was a lake of water that
did remind Keilyndra Din Djanin of the sea which never again would
she sail in life or in death, most terrible of all fates for the
Atha'an Miere.  And each, in his own way did rest upon that night,
Akhel in solitude, and the Earth people in warmth, and for a time
dry.

And Akhel did rise from slumber early, and he did see that the
dawning sky was clear, and Keilyndra Din Djanin also did return
to gaze upon the water, and Telas also.  And so it was that the
sun rose from below the horizon for the first time in too many days,
like a promise kept.

But the sky quickly greyed and clouds hid the sun.