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

You and I... It was not a question, nor was it a statement. It floated somewhere in the blackness between uncertainty and fear that most men's words fell when they felt their life slipping out of their control inch by painful inch. Caitrin's words only served as affirmation They could never return to Tar Valon in their lifetime. All their belongings and sentimental items were lost. Their families, friends, and colleagues would likely see them presented as deserters or worse. After some time, they may even need to worry about being followed or hunted, depending on how strongly their names were blasted. And then there was the mystery of who had organized the shadowspawn attack, who they were working with, and how far they would chase. Aermun stood from the log, pacing back and forth in front of Caitrin. She was no doubt used to the gesture, as it was how he focused his mind best. Some of his most brilliant revelations had come about, after being stuck on finding a solution, simply pondering the problem on his feet. You're right, he grumbled grimly, Tar Valon is out. Even the surrounding cities may become hostile to us, depending on how deep our names travel before we are searched for. And let's not forget that there's someone who controls shadowspawn hunting us as well. He sighed harshly and scrubbed a hand through his hair, shaking his head back and forth exasperatedly. I'd like to say we've been through worse, but we really haven't. A brief, mirthless laugh cut his words off. He paused, contemplative. Then his eyes turned to Caitrin, brown-nearly-black eyes somehow managing to glint fondly in the dim starlight. But you're right, Caitrin. There's no Aes Sedai in this world who I would rather have by my side through this. Honest and sincere, Aermun's words matched his smile as he closed his eyes and tilted his head back. In the clearing, under the cloudless night sky and surrounded by the fires of discord, a new life started for them. It was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the wheel of time. But it was a beginning. A beginning of what would undoubtedly be the most difficult time of their lives, by Aermun's guess. The Black Tower. Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, the Car'a'carn , the most powerful false Dragon in recent history. Whatever the name, they all lead to the same man. The same madman. Aermun shivered. The Black... The words choked in his throat. His eyes fell on Caitrin for a bare moment, then slipped off. When his madness came, she would be the first to be hurt, invariably. She would be his only friend, his only ally, his only confidant, and likely his first victim. Perhaps she could teach him to channelas a dog trainer could teach a man to train a bearbut some part of him did not want her to. Consciously he knew that training was the best way to keep control, to stave off the madness, but part of him was afraid of what he could do as a madman trained in the One Power alongside a masterful blade. Not now. He knew he would have plenty of time to ponder the nature of their predicament while traveling. Now was the time to act, not think, and actions could not exist without intent, nor intent without planning. So be it. It's the only place to start. You're right. At least, he hoped she was. Creator, he hoped she was.