Chapter II
I was in my room in White Tower, sitting on wodden chair thinking about what Zannein told me. I was ta'veren, she told me. ''An Aes Sedai never lies, but the truth she speaks, may not be the truth you think you hear.'' Last night, I had strange dream. I was in front of big mountain. I couldn't se it's top. I only know it's dark as tar. I heard voice in my head ''Serve me in life, or serve me in death.'' I knew who was that. I knew where I was. I was in front of Shayol Ghul, where prison of Dark One is. Dark One spoke to me.
''Light burn you Shai'tan!'' - I said to him when I made one step and fell into Pit of Doom... and then I woke up. I found out that I was covered in sweat. I haven't told Zannein anything, or even Sedrar. I kept this dream in secret, it was too strange to have a dream about Dark One. I don’t know if saying His name in dream would have same effects of saying it in reality. I do not want to attract his attention.
When I got out of my room, I saw Sedrar. As I approached him, I felt something strange. It was just for a moment… and it disappeared. What was that? I don’t understand. I should have talked to Zannein, but I decided to keep this a secret too. I saw a man walking through halls of White Tover. He was tall, and though sit hairs on temples, he looked pretty strong, and confident. He walked like warder, like Darlaan. Death followed him like a pet. He smelled like a death. I didn’t understood how can I smell death, but that is probably imagination. At other end of hall, Zannein stood, smiled to see this man.
‘’Lord Gareth Bryne.’’ – she said.
Gareth Bryne nodded ‘’Zannein Sedai. If you would excuse me, I am in hurry. My wife Siuan is kidnapped by Myddraals last night. I am preparing my cavalry for rescue.’’
‘’No need for that, Gareth.’’
He looked at her, confusion on his face. ‘’No need?’’
She nodded and replied. ‘’Leave it to me and my small group.’’ While talking to Lord Gareth Bryne, Zannein looked at me. ‘’Leave it to us.’’
--
In the end, what Zannein said to Gareth Bryne was true. We had to go and rescue Siuan Sanche. She is former Amyrlin, and strong Aes Sedai, more capable than many present Aes Sedai. While I was preparing my saddlebags, I heard from residents rumors that Shienar army led by Lord Agelmar and King Easar defeated trolloc five times bigger army at Tarwin’s Gap. It is said that Creator himself appeared there and smashed trollocs with his might.
--
Borderlands separated Westlands and The Great Blight. It looked like winter never ends there. Snow was falling even on spring. At Tarwin’s Gap we encountered a group of Whitecloaks, charging to fight trollocs. At same moment, I saw Darlaan charging at trollocs and Zannein firing fireball at one trolloc. I drew out my sword and charged. Trollocs were bigger then humans. When I charged, one knocked me out of my horse.
He swinged his sword tovards me, but I blocked his attack, as Darlaan taught me when he had free time. I spent some time blocking trolloc’s attacks, but in the end, he was the one to die.
That was first trolloc I killed. At the end of battle, which was won by us, Whitecloaks were preparing to attack Zannein, because they didn’t liked Aes Sedai at all. Darlaan knocked out few Whitecloaks, and when they saw his skill, they turned their horses and rode in unknown direction. Darlaan’s face looked like it was made of stone when he fought Whitecloaks.
In the meanwhile, we continued our pursue. We followed trollocs all the way to the Blight. We saw them entering one fortress. Darlaan showed me one big mountain few miles away.
Shayol Ghul.
I was afraid. I was never afraid as that day. In the night, we infiltrated the fortress. We separated in order to find prison faster. I had to sneak a lot, because I saw more than two hundred trollocs in fortress. I was first to find prison guard. He was a man, lucky man who didn’t got eaten by trollocs. Prison keys were hanged on his belt. He held big two-handed sword, forged by Forgers of Thakan’Dhar. I attacked him with my full strength. I swinged my sword, but he was too skilled and knocked me on the ground. He tried to pierce me, but I dodged and cutted his throat.
Darkfriend Prison guard charging at me
He fell on bloody ground. I took the keys and entered the prison. Siuan Sanche was standing on cold floor, looking at wall in front of her.
‘’Siuan Sedai?’’ – I asked.
She turned and nodded ‘’Thank the heavens you have come, young man. Lead me out of here, now!’’
Well, this is not the ‘’thanks’’ I ecpected, but better anything than nothing. When we got out of prison, I saw about ten trollocs standing before me.
‘’Use One Power!’’ – I yelled.
‘’I am too tired…’’ – she replied ‘’I am too tired. Try to kill them by yourself.’’
Damn Aes Sedai. She won’t help when she is most needed. But nevermind, I’ll kill them by myself. I charged at them, killing first, second, third…. In the end, all of them were lying on ground, dead. How I did this I didn’t knew. Somehow, I managed to lead Siuan out of fortress, and we, by that I mean Zannein and others, galloped out of Blight next day.
When we got to outskirts of Fal Dara, we set up the camp. Darlaan cooked rabbits he killed in woods. I was sitting on log next to campfire, eating my meal.
‘’Young man.’’ – Siuan said. I knew it was me, so I raised my look. ‘’I saw your skill how you fought trollocs. How old are you?’’
‘’19.’’ – I replied, maybe too fast.
Siuan smiled ‘’Did Darlaan taught you how to fight. He is one of warders Aes Sedai could only dream. Zannein is lucky she got him.’’
I nodded ‘’Every day I trained. I am ta’ve….’’ – maybe I said too much.
‘’Ta’veren!’’ – she widened her eyes. ‘’Ta’veren..’’- she said second time more calmly. ‘’Interesting.’’ – she didn’t said anything after that.
After I fell asleep, I had a dream about Dark One again. This time, he introduced himself as Ba’alzamon.