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(found a bunch of these while transferring files to the new comp)

Sitting atop the black and white horse, Marrahs insides shook with fear
of the upcoming trip. Moving to a mysterious place where she would be
trained how to use this <I>gift</I> that had somehow been found in her.
The excitement of meeting new people warred within her mind against the
evil that she would certain run into. She placed a hand on her quiver
of arrows that was tied by her leg and a quick look saw the long bow was
safety tied on the other side of the saddle. It was the only defense
she knew but hopefully it would help if the need arose. Surely these
people that had promised to train her would shelter her against the
dangers of the world, but one could never to be careful. The last thing
her parents had told her was to keep that temper controlled and try to
be patient. These women knew what they were doing and to trust in that.
Both knew the heart of the young woman was as good as gold but she did
have her problems as everyone did.

Her long slim hand flipped the long golden braid over her shoulder as
she forced herself to quit fidgeting. Green eyes looked up at the light
blue sky as she breathed in deeply attempting to enjoy the beauty of the
day. The impatience to get started swelled up inside her as her long
legs began to jiggle in the stirrups. <I>Tell yourself a story Marrah
and relax for the Lights sake. You will get there eventually now just
calm down.</I> She closed her eyes and forced her shoulders to relax
and she thought back into her memories.

<hr>

Jade green eyes watched as the black and white filly trot around the
ring stretching its legs. The hind legs kicked up into the air bucking
with joy as the young horse showed off for the gathering crowd watching
her. Marrah smiled as she muttered to Zackin who stood beside her,
Show off. Laughing as he agreed.

She is beautiful Marrah, she has a right to show off. She will be the
best horse in the New Mantheren area when you finish training her. I
cant wait to watch what all you do today. I try to do the same with
Rotorn but he isnt half as smart as Braxxon.

Marrah nodded then cocked her head sideways watching the natural gate of
the horse her brow creasing as she studied the leg movements. Well sit
back and watch. This is a big day for Braxxon.

The young woman of about fifteen summers didnt even notice her friend
walk away and join her parents who were standing by the fence post under
the shade of a tree. A few of the neighbors had heard today the
training of the beautiful horse was going to continue so they left their
chores to watch the natural communication between the young woman and
the horse they had heard so much about. People around town all talked
about how Marrah could virtually talk to her horse while training so
that nothing upset or surprised her. Some thought this was mostly
likely because Marrah spent day and night with the horse when it was
first born imprinting the filly during the most crucial time of her life
since the mother had died at birth. She hand fed it goats milk from a
homemade baby bottle enlarged so the foal could drink. Braxxon was so
use to the young woman that she often whinnied when Marrah approached
even as a newborn foal as if the girl had taken the place of her mother.

Stepping inside the fence she whistled and Braxxon pranced right over
nudging her for a treat. Not yet Braxxon, she said as she brushed her
silky mane. You have yet to do anything but show off. It is time for
you to work now, then maybe a treat.

The young woman slowly saddled the horse since the process was still
fairly new and different. Marrah automatically sent calming waves
towards the horse assuring Braxxon that everything would be ok. The
trusting horse settled down and allowed the strange object to be
tightened to her back. After the bridle was slipped on Marrah walked
her around the ring allowing her time to adjust. <I>Now Braxxon here is
the moment of truth. Will you let me get on your back? It will be ok I
promise you that.</I> She talked to her horse in her mind as if the
horse could understand while rubbing her neck.

Slowly Marrah lifted her foot and placed it in the stirrup and gently
put weight on it jumping off her right foot. After repeating this
process several times the whites of Braxxons eyes disappeared showing
the horse had calmed down. The next step involved Marrah standing in
the stirrup for a few moments then slowly coming back down. The first
time all of Marrahs weight was in the stirrup the horse side stepped a
few feet trying to get away from the strangeness of it all.

In a soft voice Marrah spoke to the horse. Saaaaa saaaaa good girl.
It is alright you know that I will not hurt you. Saaaa saaaa. The
horse calmed and allowed the process to continue. At last Marrah was
ready to sit in the saddle. After she stood in the stirrup balancing on
her left foot she slowly moved her right leg over the horses back
sitting down on the leather seat of the saddle. All of the muscles in
her back tensed at the weight yet she stood still. Still sending
calming waves of reassurance to the horse Marrah continued to caress the
horses neck. Sitting very still until her horse relaxed the young farm
girl shoved everything in the world around her out of her mind. At this
moment nothing or no one existed but the horse.

Braxxons foot kicked at a fly shifting Marrah slightly, which caused
the horse to turn her head and look at the woman on her back. Then
Marrah clicked with her tongue the signal that always indicated to walk
in the past, so the horse took a step however hesitant. Step by step
the horse moved becoming more confident until she walked around the
ring.

Marrahs smiled widened as Braxxon began to prance. Suddenly Marrah
realized that everyone was standing around the ring watching holding the
edge of the fence, mouths opened wide holding their breath at the beauty
of the two working together.

She asked Braxxon to halt verbally and the horse obeyed which caused the
unbelieving spectators to gasp. Dismounting slowly she unsaddled the
horse and let her run free. As the horse began to run around again the
spell was broken and the rush of people came over asking for her to
train their horses whatever the price. From that moment on Marrah
ceased helping her father build barns and sewing with her mother and
dedicated herself to training every new born horse in the The New
Mantheren area.

<hr>

Braxxon ran through the wood chasing after a wild boar as Marrah held
her bow and arrow in her hands steering the horse with her legs.
Getting a clear shot through the thicket Marrah released the arrow that
sailed through the air piercing the skin of the large animal. The boar
fell over and rolled down the hill as he died instantly.

On the way home with while dragging the boar on a wooden sled Braxxon
tripped over a log hidden under the fallen leaves. As the horse
scrambled to catch her balance the makeshift sled broke under the strain
cutting the back tendon in the horses leg. Braxxon screamed out in pain
and fell to the ground tossing Marrah into the dirt a few feet away.
Fear exploded through Marrah as she screamed at the top her lungs. The
blood gushed out of the back leg where a large piece of wood had
punctured the muscle and gone all the way through the opposite side.

YOU WILL NOT DIE ON ME BRAXXON. I DID NOT RAISE YOU TO DIE LIKE THIS.
I REFUSE TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. She screamed her words as if to make
sure the Light above heard her. Calm descended over the woman now
eighteen summers old as a plan started to develop in her mind. She
broke off the excess pieces of wood then pushed it the rest of the way
through so not to get splinters in the muscles. The horse lay panting
yet still allowing the only mother it had ever known to fix everything.

A sweetness rushed forth from Marrah unlike anything she had ever felt.
The wound knitted itself back together in front of her unbelieving
eyes. The only evidence left was a small scar the width of the wood
that had been in her leg.

Within moments every ounce of energy Marrah had in her body fled causing
her body to collapse to the ground. There she lay for a few minutes her
brain not even allowing full thoughts to enter her consciousness.
Slowly her senses came back to her alerting her to the shivering her
body shook with, even her teeth chattering until they sounded as they
might shatter. A wave of dizziness combined nausea rushed through her
body as the young woman attempted to raise her body off the ground. It
took all the will power Marrah had not to empty her stomach on the
ground. Slowly she struggled to her knees grabbing at the nearby tree
branches uncaring of the cuts she was getting in her hands. The one
thought of getting home was all that she could focus on through all of
the weakness. Unconscious of time she struggled back through the woods
towards her home. She leaned on Braxxon the entire way back trusting in
the horse to lead her back safely. Her mother saw her weakened state
and called to her father to help.

After sleeping the rest of the day and into the night Marrah woke up
bewildered but ready to tell her parents the story of what happened.
Her mother spoke up first. Marrah I know there is a lady from the Red
Ajah in the next village I heard that at the market today. I think you
need to go find her and have her test you for whatever it is they do.
That sounds like something they would know about.

<hr>

Marrah child, it is time to go now. Marrah looked up called back to
reality by the familiar voice of Palu Sedai. Palu was the Red Ajah
sister that tested her for the One Power and confirmed that her
experience in the woods was indeed her first experience with channeling.

The two set off from her village with a tearful wave goodbye to her
parents. Turning in her saddle she smiled and trembled at the same
time. Today would be a good day and the days to come, Marrah would
learn more then she ever thought possible.



Email questions

1) Name three of you favorite things.

Marrahs three favorite things would have to be her family, horses and
children. She has grown up in a small village and is an only child so
she is very close to both of her parents. Throughout her childhood she
has worked with horses every free moment she was allowed. She feels as
if they are her siblings and would die of any of them. Being an only
child she has missed out on having little brothers or sisters around the
house and helps the village children whenever she can. She helps them
learn to read and write, tends to them when they are sick and plays with
them in the fields.

A side note, Marrah is basically a sweet nave thing that will have her
views of the world crushed when she gets some experience to harden her
up a bit.

2) Name three of your least favorite things.

The things Marrah dislikes would be anything that hurts her favorite
things. Anyone evil that tries to harm her family, village or horses.
She hates eating meat and is strictly a vegetarian. Her major two down
falls personality wise are her impatience and her quick temper with
adults. She cant wait for anything and hates that she cant control
it. She wants to think before she acts but just cant control herself.
With that impatience she loses her temper with adults because she feels
they should know better being older and wiser. With children and
animals she can be calm and under control but with adults she often gets
aggravated and loses her temper.

3) Which Tower do you hope to join and why?

Marrah will want to join the Tower of the Light. She has seen the
damage the dark can do and doesnt want to be apart of it in any way.

4) Which Ajah? Green

Name: Calin Elbane
Rank: Soldier
Allegiance: Light
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Nationality: Malkieri
Place of Birth/Hometown: Hightower, in the
Northern marshes of Malkier
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192 lbs
Hair Color: black
Eye Color: blue
Scars: Various from battles but nothing
major or on his face or other
regularly looked at places.



Traits: (42 Free points used)
Physical Strength: 6 (4pts)(14 free points
used)
Stamina: 4 (4 pts)
Agility: 5 (4 pts)(7 free points used)
Speed: 4 (3 pts)(7 free points)
Intuition: 4 (3 pts)(7 free points)
Intelligence: 4 (3 pts)(7 free points)
Charisma: 2 (2 pts) - Decided upon this
cause he is almost permanently
scowling at something or other.
Social: 1 (1 pts) - Calin is not very sociable,
what with his distrust and
all


One Power: (35 Free points used)
OP Strength: 6 (5 pts)(7 free points)
OP Dexterity: 5 (4.5 pts))(21 freepoints)
Air: 2 (3 pts)
Fire: 3 (3 pts)
Water: 1 (1.5 pts)
Earth: 1 (1 pt)
Spirit: 4 (3 pts)(7 Free Points)


Power Talents:
Travelling: (3 pts)
Crafting (Lvl 2): (4 pts)
Skimming: (free with travelling)
Shielding (Lvl 2): (free with sufficient
strength and dexterity)(1 pt for
lvl advancement)
Linking: (free one power dexterity is 3)

Skills: (6 Free points used)
Sword: 8 (6 free points)
Two Handed: (Free)
Unarmed combat: 6 (2 free points)
Stealth: shadowing: 5
Survival: Blight: 4
Tracking: 5
Riding skills: 5 (2 free points used)

Pattern Gifts: (3 Free points used)
Noble: Very minor - Son of a youngest daughter
of a Lord (A head of his
house who is now dead) of a minor province
of the northern marshes in
Malkier who married a soldier. Great nephew
of the current lord of that
house. (3 free points)

Non-Power abilities, Possible Strengths
& Weaknesses: total = 9
Strengths:
Moral Code: To defend woman at all costs.
(-2 free points)
True Love: For Caraline (-1 free point)

Weaknesses:
Paranoia: Very untrusting of anyone other
than a woman. (+3 free points)
Driving goal: To rid the world of any who
would harm a woman. (+5 free
points)
Intolerance: Intolerance to those who would
hurt women. (+2 free points)
Naivet: Extremely trusting of woman, believes
they can do no wrong. (+ 2
free points)
Rival: Davian his brother. Wants to kill
him, and the feeling is mutual. (+
3 free points)
Vengeful: Wants revenge on Davian for the
sins of the father (+ 3 free
points)
Bad Reputation: Wanted for murder in his
home town. (+ 3 free points)

Goodies:
Power crafted Sword

Abel was born into an above average house dedicated to the protection of Saldaea. His mother was already a ranking Runner for the ruling house of Saldaea and his father was a newly made Lieutenant in the Royal Guard. His mothers father was a man of short stature, and Abel got more than his fair share of the same.

At the age of five he begin basic education that was allotted to persons of favor in the Royal Household. What Abel lacked in size, he made up for in determination. He knew he would never be a mountain of a man wielding a lance on a warhorse, but he could still achieve. At the age of seven, already ahead of his peers in general study, he asked his mother to explain her role in life. From that day on, he made a point to run as much as possible every day. In his mind, he didnt have to be as strong as anybody. He just had to out last them. His favorite past time, aside from running, was watching the heavy infantry. Powerful men with large swords, and plate mail practicing day in and day out. As he watched the men swing their swords and hammer away at each other in practice, he would pay particular attention to how long the mightiest would go without breaking. By the age of ten, Abel had developed his own regimen of exercises with the goal of building a body the mind did not believe could fall. The idea came from the studies that his mother insisted he must continue. His favorite subjects dealt with meditation and contemplation; mind over matter and self perception. He could read and write as well as any except the court scribes, and his mathematics skills were already levels above the average soldiers. Practicing such things over and over was a waste of valuable training time. Lungs did not expand, muscles did not loosen, endurance and stamina were not gained sitting at a table, writing. In Abels mind, he was going to be a rock; a mountain. Not a clerk.

By the age of sixteen he was practicing in full armor with the strongest of the strong. He would meditate, run, do calisthenics, swim, swing a sword, meditate and run some more in the warmer seasons. In the colder ones, he would focus more on meditation, calisthenics, and swinging a sword till he was almost too tired to eat. Once a month he tested how many consecutive hours he could stay awake training nonstop, just to test his endurance. The old campaigners soon got over his shortness and began to focus on the young man that just would not stop. By the age of eighteen, it had become a personal challenge to out last any and all takers, and the entire Royal Guard was eligible to test its endurance. It also became a challenge to them to outlast the boy! His skill was no where near most of the older mens, but he never gave in, and always walked away the victor in his mind. Every day, he learned something, and every day, he got faster, stronger, and more durable.

In his eighteenth summer he was sent to Dystara for specific training in dealing with the Seanchan threat. The next spring saw and advancing Seanchan army making another attempt at seizing control of Arad Doman, and Abel was given his first campaign. Marching south under his fathers command, Abel met the Seanchan army head on. The reports had been misleading, and there were several thousand more Seanchan than anticipated. The Saldaeans were forced to continually fall back and take up defense, and Abel was always the last man in. Night came and went and came again. The Saldaeans never got more than an hours rest at any given time, and Abel made sure he was always at the ready. In his mind, he was a rock. A mountain. And he had a body his mind just would not believe could fall. For five straight days he swung his great sword, helping bring up the rear of the army as it continually fell back and set up a perimeter. On the sixth day, reinforcements arrived, and Abel led the infantrys charge.

Upon returning to the Dystara, Abel was commended and given the rank of Under-Lieutenant. Knowing that leading men and dealing with politics was not the path for him, he declined the commission, and took up a position as an infantry instructor. During campaigns, he was usually a point man, and always one of the men bringing up the rear when falling back, usually the very last man. His men had amended the old saying about everything changing in a battle after the first arrow was fired. Everything changed, except The Rock.

On his twentieth year, scouts reported an army of inestimable size was marching south from The Blight, and Abel was there with his company of personally trained heavy infantry. By the end of the invasion, Abels company was reduced to half (25 men), and the whole army itself had been pushed back to barely five leagues north of Maradon. While Abel and his company were given top honors for their courage and valor, The Company of Able Men knew if captain Braum Akahana had not arrived with more men from Kandor, Maradon would not have survived.

Abel spent the next three years faithfully guarding the borders against shadowspawn and Arad Doman against the Seanchan. His great sword became a symbol to the men he fought beside, and as long as it was hewing down the chaff, the battle was not lost. In the autumn of his twenty-third year, he began having dreams of a wide valley, with a large lake in its center surrounded by three towers. For the next year, at least three times a week he would dream of the sparkling lake and the shadows the towers would spread across the valley floor as the sun passed overhead. Having a close relationship with a certain Yellow Aes Sedai was what finally gave him his answer to the dream. In the Mountains of Mist she told him, was the Valley of the Twin Towers. He must go there she told him. The dreams had called to him. On his twenty-fifth birthday, Abel set out for the Valley of the Twin Towers.

Since the archives are under construction...

Logain had watched much of the battle through mini-gateways, and had walked through one as Kaernia left. Logain went to Jonos Jamis, and found the note. He sent Jamis through and closed it. He had no expectations for the next few moments, but had written Jamis instructions, if things went badly.

Logain walked through the area. He knew there were bad guys, he knew there were good guys. He stopped to think about it for a while, and he started to laugh.

Then he started to Balefire. Wide beams, small beams, controlled blasts, wild blasts. Logain disn't care. Good guys, bad guys....dead guys.

He walked through a village, a town, came to another village. When he left nothing remained, no one remained. Unfortunately it looked as if all the Leaders had moved on to other locations, but he just wanted to kill, he didn't care who. Laughing as he destroyed, laughing as he killed.

A short time ago there was a battle here, a relatively small battle considering what he expected. But what the battle lacked in devastation, Logain didn't. He felt for a moment that he could almost feel the pattern unraveling, but he shook the thought as imagination. Obviously nothing was damaged, everything seemed right enough, and no one of any consequence had been eliminated.

He continued laughing and destroying, only destroying because there didn't seem to be anyone left to kill. Nothing andno one for miles around the site of the battle.

His onslaught continued, he ignored the fatigue that was setting in, didn't care that he was near to killing himself. He kept walking and laughing and balefiring, but suddenly, the balefire stopped.

His laughter died down and he stopped walking, he tried again, but there was nothing. As if he were not mad enough already, he started jumping up and down and screaming.

"Give me back my balefire dammit. Bloody Creator, what do you think you're doing. You can't bloody well take it away from me."

It was now that his mind and body decided to give in to his condition, tired, drained of much of his strength. He began to fall asleep. The last thought he had before sleep took him, "Bloody Steddings"


Frenzy sat at her desk, going over reports from Cairhein. It appears that Sinistrum managed to take the City with none the wiser that he himself led the army he 'drove out.' Frenzy smiled. It was a good plan, well executed. Sinistrum was a good addition to her forces. Though how Lord Stephen Cooke knew the truth she didn't know. She didn't like knowing. That man was an intriguing puzzle. But one for another time.

Frenzy frowned. Something wasn't right. She got that feeling again. Her abilities in Foretelling were dismal, only being vague senses of impending catastrophe. Or impending opportunity. Or both. When it was both, things got messy. The Pattern was trying to tell her something.

One of the callboxes on her desk buzzed. She activated it. "Report."

"Dark Mother," Nolen's voice came through, sounding harried. "Logain's forces have attacked several villages in the Carralain Grass. He's here, and using Balefire on everything! Even his own men!"

"Stay low and keep the connection open." Frenzy ordered. Perfect. This was the perfect opportunity. She dashed into her room and changed into her sparring gear. Grabbing her glaive, she hurried out of her study and down to the lower levels. Walking up to an unremarkable door, she opened it. Inside were three of Odaer's creatures. "Now is the time. Are you ready?" She asked curtly. They bowed, nodding in acquiescence.

They were cloaked and hooded, so none could discern their true nature. To the average observer, they were three men carrying ashandarei. She led them to the Traveling Room. From there she opened a Gateway to Nolen's position. "Where is he?" She demanded.

Nolen pointed to the southeast. "That way, about a league. He's pulling incredible amounts of Saidin---wait, it just stopped. Cut off, as if with a knife." Nolen sounded confused.

"Return to the army." She ordered, and started walking to the southeast. The robed figures followed her. Nolen raised a hand as if to speak, but decided against it.

About 45 minutes later, Frenzy and her creatures passed through a boundary. Frenzy shivered, feeling a profound sense of loss. "Stedding. Even better. Are you able to function?" She asked of her minions.

"Yes," a low voice responded.

"Good. You know what to do."

*****

Frenzy walked up to the sleeping figure sprawled on the ground. Logain. She considered killing him in his sleep, but that wasn't the plan. She hitched her cloak up out of the way and soundly kicked him in the ribs. That woke him up. "Having fun, Logain?" She asked sweetly.


"I always have fun when I get to kill. The only question is, would it be wrong of me to kill you as well. I think not." Logain stood, and was quickly knocked back as the Dark Amyrlin kicked him again. Logain quickly drew his sword, he wasn't going to take any more of this.

A wild swing caught Frenzy below the eye, ignoring the cut, she charged at Logain, who was able to defend against the attack. An elbow from Logain knocked Frenzy off balance, and Logain saw his chance.

He delayed however, taunting his opponent. " I really always thought you were better than this. Had I known it would be this easy I would have killed you decades ago."

Logain then moved in for the kill, Frenzy having had time to recover was able to make a move. Logain, though caught by surprise, was able to compensate, driving his sword through the heart of the Dark Amyrlin (Yes I'm assuming she has one).

Logain could not help but start to laugh again. This day wasn't so bad afterall.


Frenzy stared stupidly at the blade protruding from her chest, and collapsed with a wordless sigh. Logain laughed maniacally over her fallen form.

"Really, Logain. Is that any way to treat a lady?" Frenzy smirked, leaning against a nearby tree, idly toying with her glaive.

Logain glared at her. "I thought you were dead!" He said in surprise and anger.

"And I thought you had some minute amount of intelligence. Whatever possessed you to try and unravel the Pattern?"

With a snarl, Logain leapt at her. She parried his strike, dancing to the side to avoid the follow-up strike. The first Frenzy fell too easily, which apparently made the madman cocky. Frenzy pressed her advantage, whipping strikes at his head and flanks with lightning speed. Logain was no slouch, though, and answered each strike blow for blow. He managed to gouge her thigh, but his blade slowed in her flesh enough to leave him open. She whipped the butt end of the glaive down hard on his left wrist, and smiled when it connected with a bone-crunching thud.

A normal man would cry out. Drop his weapon. React somehow. But Logain was deep in his madness, apparently. Not even batting an eye, he slashed with his sword, half-severing Frenzy's head from her body. Thick ichor fountained from the horrific wound, and Frenzy collapsed with a smile on her lips.

"Oh, nicely done. Very nice." Frenzy applauded from atop a nearby rock, where she was lounging at her ease.


"What in all the flaming hells is going on here eh? First you take away my balefire, now you give me an endless supply of Frenzys? I'm a good guy, you're supposed to help the good guys. Bloody Creator, be gone damn you."

Frenzy watched, smiling, waiting for Logain to stop. When he finally did he turned to her.

"I don't know why you're smiling, I'm just going to kill you again. And again if I have to. I may be tired, I may be weakened, it doesn't matter, you are going to die. Unless of course this is a dream. No, that doesn't matter, either way you are going to die."

Logain stepped towards Frenzy, swinging wildly, his anger obviously getting the better of him. Her only defense was to back away and wait for the right time. That time came as Logain's swinging slowed, showing signs of his weakness he could not keep up the assault. Frenzy began her counterattack, not wild like Logain's, but controlled, Logain did his best to defend but he was pushed back. Unable to fight as he wanted, he continued to try to put distance between them, but Frenzy kept coming. Logain lost his footing and fell to the ground. Not willing to accept defeat, he forced himself to his feet, where he met Frenzy, coming in for the kill, recognizing the situation, Logain was able to dig down for some energy, he deflected the blow Frenzy had attempted, and with his remaining strength, he struck, cutting Frenzy in half just below the ribs.

He fell to the ground, needing to regain his strength. He heard laughter, he was unable to tell where it came from, but he knew who it belonged to.

"Another! You have got to be kidding me."


Frenzy watched as Logain fell to the ground. She laughed, a sound like crystalline chimes stirring in an icy breeze.

"Another! You have got to be kidding me." He exclaimed.

"I think I like you this way, Logain. Tired, confused, and most importantly: on your knees." Frenzy chuckled maliciously.

Logain stood slowly, an animal snarl on his face. "Four or four hundred, it doesn't matter. I will kill you." He promised.

"You are welcome to try, little M'hael." She held her glaive in one hand, and gestured for him to come at her with the other: a taunting little crook of the fingers. He leapt at her, and she effortlessly parried his attacks. She was the cat, and he her mouse. She let him flail at her for about half a minute, toying with him. Then she went on the offensive. His eyes narrowed as he struggled to keep her deadly attacks at bay. "You're the real one, aren't you?" He panted angrily.

Frenzy smiled venomously. "You hurt me, Logain. Did you really think, that after all these years, I would be so easy to kill as that?" She scoffed. "You have always underestimated me, little man. And it will be your undoing." She stepped up her attacks, the glaive a blur in her hands. Parting the Silk met The Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose. Lightning of Three Prongs countered Falling Stars. The Courtier Taps his Fan met The River Undercuts the Bank. The ring of steel on steel echoed in the long-abandoned stedding; the land seeming to flinch away from the violence.

He was hard-pressed to hold her back. Sweat poured from his body, and his chest heaved like a bellows. Conversely, she never lost her Aes Sedai serenity; not a drop of perspiration marred her brow. He was exhausted, she was fresh. It was only a matter of time, now.

"This ends NOW!!" He screamed in anger. He slashed at her abdomen, and his sword cut deep into her leather vest. The leather stopped the blade from touching her, and it slowed his momentum. A fatal error. She whipped her glaive around like a serpent's tongue, cracking his right wrist and sending his sword flying from his nerveless fingers. A quick reversal and thrust, and the rook-etched blade slid into his chest right below his right pectoral like a stick into water.

"You are right." She said. Time seemed to freeze, with her in a crouched stance and him impaled on the end of her glave, locked together in endless combat. "After half a century of your meddling, you are right. It ends now."


"Well done. Well done indeed."

Logain knew it was only a matter of time now, and not a lot of it. He could feel himself slipping away.

"I never underestimated you, you never could beat me in a fair fight. You took advantage of an opportunity, and for that I congratulate you."

It was almost time now, he felt there was something else he should say, but could not form the thought.

"Oh yes, for the sake of the Towers, tell no one of this deed. Good luck, with Mordeth."

With that Logain slumped over, his body now but an empty shell. The existence of the almighy Logain Ablar Jr was at an end.


Frenzy pondered Logain's final words, staring at his lifeless corpse as it decorated the end of her glaive. What did he care about the Towers, he betrayed them! That's what gave her this opportunity. She felt wave after wave of immense satisfaction for finally ridding herself of the man. He had foiled many of her plans, and was a constant thorn in her side for a very long time. It's a tribute to his strength in the Power that he survived her ire for so long. But none could survive it forever, and she had eternity at her fingertips.

She shifted her glaive, and the body slid off the blade and crumpled to the ground. The earth seemed to mourn the death. Why? He and his addiction to Balefire disrupted the Pattern on countless occasions. She must be imagining things.

She grabbed an ankle and started dragging. She felt the reassuring presence of the True Source when she passed the invisible boundary that separated the stedding from the rest of the world. "You are right, Logain. As much as I'd adore your head on a spike in my quarters, none must know of this." She knew that if she were ever brought to Trial in the Towers that she had an air-tight case, but best not to leave herself open to chance. She embraced the Source and hefted his body into the air. She stretched him out, as if he lay on a bier, then wove Fire. She poured more and more Fire into him, watching as the flames quickly engulfed the body, until nothing was left but ashes floating on the wind.

It cost me three of Odaer's pets, but it was worth it. Of course, I am in her debt now. This could prove interesting. Brushing her hands like a crofter who just finished chopping a cord of wood, she opened a Gateway back to the Dark Tower Traveling Room. There was still much to accomplish this morning before she set out on her latest mission.