Thread: The Wheel Weaves What The Wheel Wills (Ryees & darkangel76)

The music swelled as bodies moved together, hands clasped tightly as couples spun each other around the numerous bonfires that had been lit in the Village Centre and even its perimeter. From where Caitrin sat in her cozy little spot amongst the trees, they looked like nothing but dots of light while silhouettes seemed to fade in and out against them. There was nothing strange about it, just another ordinary town enjoying its Harvest Festival as the autumn chill bit through the nighttime air. Silvery rays from the moon shone down as the stars lit the inky sky above, twinkling merrily in time with the music and song of the village below. Caitrin grimaced, her eyebrows knitting together as her blue eyes searched and finally found the one she was looking for. She turned toward her Warder, a delicate hand moving to brush against his arm. She let it rest there, squeezing ever so gently. Giving him a nod of her dark head she gestured toward the fiery haired girl. Of course she would stand out, though it was apparent that wouldn't know it. Or would she? Caitrin wondered if the dreams had begun. It certainly appeared as if they might have taken their toll. Even from where she sat, she could see it in those pretty blue eyes. The Power emanating from her, stronger than she probably guessed. Though... Caitrin turned toward her Warder again, head tilted as she innately reached for the preciousand cleansaidar. With a furrowed brow, she wondered why she thought that, why she... But she pushed it away. There was no saidin there. No taint. Swallowing hard, she forced a smile and gestured once again toward the fiery-haired girl with elfin features. She sat back and raked a hand through her dark hair and tugged on a loose curl that fell over one bared shoulder. Oh, her sisters back in Tar Valon would be proud that she'd found this one, her Power so strong, so ready to be trained. Just then the wind blew through the trees, the leaves rustling ever so slightly. With a slight jerk of her head, Caitrin turned away from the girl who seemed to be sitting on the outskirts of her own village's revelry, her image burned into her memory forever with a fiery branding iron. The girl would serve Tar Valon well if cared for properly, if trained. Caitrin let out a slow breath, her hands all but trembling as she reached for a tree branch and slowly pulled herself up to a standing position. The trees framed her, a perfect Aes Sedai. When she looked to see the girl she'd come to find, she was no longer there. Blue eyes wide, Caitrin mumbled a curse under her breath. The Amyrlin Seat and her Keeper would be furious if she failed! This was one of their first missions together as bonded Aes Sedai and Warder. They couldn't fail now. Glancing around, she tried to find the girl again. Where is she? Caitrin whispered aloud, her voice carried upon the wind as it made its way through the dark trees surrounding her, enshrouding her slender body covered in deep greens and rich browns. She blended in with autumn, a herald of the harvest the villagers were celebrating. Biting down on her cheek, Caitrin carefully stepped over fallen twigs and leaves, beckoning her Warder follow. Her steps were light and cautious as she made her way closer to the scene, hoping she could relocate the girl without giving themselves away. Not yet. As she neared the dancing villagers, she could feel the fires burning, their heat too warm for her taste. The sounds of the music, the laughing, their song heightened as the villagers worked themselves up into a frenzy, as they celebrated their harvest, the bounty they'd had over the seasons of spring and summer. Winter was on its way and it wouldn't be smiling on these people or their mountains. Caitrin's breath caught and she closed her eyes. She felt the Power, but it was wrong. Off. Tainted. When she opened her eyes, she half hoped to see the girl in the distance, but she couldn't find her among the crowd. Just what was she feeling? So close! So amazing, so sickening in its fury as it roiled beneath the surface. She shook her head and looked toward her Warder, her face quizzical, confused. And then the sensation was gone. Licking at her full lips, her mouth dry, she gave him a nod and turned back to the crowd. There, before her eyes, she saw herthe girl! She's there, Caitrin whispered, pointing, relief finding her though she felt a knot forming in her tummy. Meanwhile, Leithia had had enough of dancing and merriment. No one wanted to be seen with the wild girl let alone touch her. She sulked inwardly, her thoughts running rampant as she secretly wished someone would take notice, ask her to dance...something. But such things were silly, frivolous dreams. Even her parents knew it, though she wished they were the sort who cuddled and hugged their children, whispering soothing words into their ears of fanciful dreams and happy endings. She sneered in disgust as she felt the bitter bile rise in her throat. No such thing would ever happen for her. It just wasn't the way of the web, the pattern hadn't weaved such pretty patterns for her. Idly, Leithia let a slim finger twist itself through a flaming tress of hair, the red curls causing the tip of her finger to become purple as it wrapped about it over and over again. She let out a sad sigh, the music growing louder as everyone laughed and danced, as everyone failed to notice her sitting on the outskirts of the festivities. A few times she tried to smooth out the deep blues of her skirta special dress she'd chosen, hoping to catch a special someone's eye. But she hadn't been able to find even him among the sea of faces she saw day in and day out, the same droll people who rapped on her mother's door for ointments and herbs. How she hated her mother. A breeze blew through the crowd, the scent of autumn wafting toward Leithia. She breathed it in deeply, letting the aroma drift into her nose and settle. It was pleasant, so she let her blue eyes flutter shut so she could enjoy the scent, the muffled sound as it muddied and blended together into a cacophony of incoherent sound. She let out another tiny sigh, her eyes suddenly flying open. There was something familiar on the breeze. She could smell... him . Blue eyes sparkling, Leithia turned toward the direction of the wind. She saw the one she'd been looking for. Immediately, her cheeks heated and she was reminded of her dreams. Looking down at her lap, she could feel a strange burn forming in her core, a yearning for something forbidden yet something she desired so deeply. But he wouldn't give her a second look. She was just Leithia, nothing like the other village girls who giggled when he passed by or gave them a grin or glance. No, she was the daring one, the bold one. The one who said awkward things that gave people pause. It was no wonder she had no prospects and probably never would. Hot tears formed in Leithia's bright eyes, her mind reaching out to something she didn't quite understand. It had brought her to strange places this Power that stood just out of reach, beckoning and calling. It had shown her visions in dreams, something hard to explain or comprehend. She longed to talk about it, but there was no one. Not even her parents would understand the place of oddity that had found her that night she'd cried herself to sleep. It had been full of wonder, such awe and magical beauty. As the heat of her cheeks swept further, another heat began to form and she locked her legs together at the knees, her lower lip trembling as a deep ache began to grow. If only... Leithia sighed as she watched the man she desired dancing with others. Always with others. Saddened, she walked away from the most crowded area of the festival so that she could clear her head. She didn't want or need to see such things. Besides, she wouldn't be missed. No one would notice or care. Her list of dance partners in wait was none and even her parents were too lost in each other to bother, their thoughts elsewhere, on the festival and merrymaking. Never did Leithia feel so ugly, so wretched and plain as she did when her village held its festivals. It was a reminder of where she stood, how she'd never be noticed by the one she loved. It was hardly fair. Then life tended to be cruel, especially in the mountains. She took a turn about her village, listening to the laughter, the music, feeling the distant heat of the fire and finally rejoined the crowd. If only it would end sooner. If only dawn would come.