SianSepta Vree, Indigo
The moon light flooded down in the wooded clearing, creating a ghostly pale effect on everything below. Green eyes gazed up into a patch of the sky framed with leafy boughs. "Hey folks!" came Jen's bright voice, startling Vree out of her reverie. "Sorry I'm late..." Vree let her thoughts wander, the voices of the others fading from her mind. There was something going on here, and she didn't like it one bit.
Vree blinked, startled to find herself alone in the clearing. An eerie wind blew, rustling the leaves of the plants near and around her. She shivered. Well, guess I ought to get started, she thought. Hmm... I think Jen would probably be in the Amyrlin's office... and Patty would probably take the Keepers... so that leaves... Light! I totally forgot!
She twisted left, turning her consciousness over and winked out of Tel'aran'rhiod Her eyes popped open and she scurried over to her desk where papers populated the wood work in a disarray. So much paper work! I'll never get this done... Now, where did I put that... She continued shuffling through papers. I thought I left it on the desk...
A tap on the door startled her from her hunt.
"Vree?"
She glanced up to find Jen peeking around the door.
"Hmmm?" Light, I must've been out of it for awhile... everyone else is already back from Dreamwalking and I've hardly begun!
"I'm going to be busy for the next couple of days or so--Ryn managed to coerce me into a string of meetings with the Grey Ajah. Do you suppose you could spare a few days to hold down the fort, so to speak?"
Vree looked over to the wall where the clock hung, to her never-ending stack of papers, and back to Jen. "I suppose," she said. "All these ... deadlines..."
Jen managed to smile. "Don't worry about it. Katassa and Laraina will help you if you need it. I'm really sorry about this ...."
"It's okay." Vree spared her a sympathetic look, she wouldn't want to get stuck quibbling with those stuffy nosed Greys any more than she'd like to face a fleet of prejudice-ridden Reds.
"Thanks."
Vree nodded, as she returned to her search.
Ahhh... here it is! She tucked it away in her jeans then hit her forehead with the palm of her hand, "Dummy! You can't take that in with you! You might as well have stayed in there and ruffled through your papers in the Dream!"
Still cursing herself for her stupidity and the waste of time, Vree climbed back into bed and forced herself to sleep.
She winked into existence in the grove, everything silent as she'd left it.
A flash of silver at the corner of her eye caught Vree's attention and she whirled about, dropping into a fighting stance to observe the danger. Her thoughts reflected her caution and she found herself in her skin tight working clothes, ancient sword strapped to her back and a myriad of other weapons sheathed at her finger tips.
Before her hovered a patch of silvery mist that shimmered and coalesced as she studied it into the form of an ancient wolf. :::Wolfwalker....::: the ghostly voice penetrated her mind, a sharp piercing pain.
:::Wolf brother,::: she sent :::what urgency has sent you in such a form to find me?::: The wolf's form merely shimmered and coalesced. :::Speak, Ghostly One!:::
:::Wolfwalker....::: The pain grew, sharper now, until it filled her whole vision with a watery redness. :::Wolfwalker....:::
She stumbled, closer to the fading image of the wolf. "I... I..." she gasped, her voice turning hoarse and raspy, "...hurts..." she whimpered, collapsing on the grassy knoll, temporarily distorting the silver wolf. "...the PAIN!!!!"
The blackness closed in as Vree's consciousness fled.
The slimy coldness of damp stone against her cheek awoke her. Her face and side were numb with cold so she knew she had been lying there for quite some time. She held herself still, testing the air for the presence that would emanate from another body in the same room as herself. No one. She ground her teeth together, determined to hold back the groan that tried to tear through her throat as she moved her body. Her hands were bound behind her back so Vree had to content herself with scooting around until she found a wall... the hard way, head first.
Immersed in her own universe of stars, Vree managed to sit herself up straight, using the wall as support. The cell was small; a mere four paces by four. One of her legs was shackled securely to a near wall. No door was apparent. With a shock, Vree realized she was not in Tel'aran'rhiod anymore... she wasn't in the Purple Tower either. Bloody Light! Where in the Seven Hells am I? Her head throbbed fiercely and the ropes of her bonds had shafted her wrists raw. I... Vree's mind froze in mind thought. The blood drained from her face as she suddenly realized she was garbed once again in Novice Whites.
Vree sat motionless for ages, it felt, staring at the torn and stained Whites that now adorned her body. I... I must be in the White Tower, she thought, her mind beginning to spin in little circles from the terrible shock. How long have I been here? Where am I? I don't remember this place! What if no one ever-- she caught hold of herself, shaking herself free from the panic that threatened to strangle her heart and leave her a weeping husk of nothingness.
I can do this, she thought, her mind voice only a little shakey, I can... Her eyes were shut, but that didn't matter. There was no light in the room. No sign of a door, no hope for escape. She blanked her mind, calling up a void that shrouded her in calm detachment. Her body seemed to fall away for a second and she reached carefully toward the One Power. A hard, cold wall loomed before her, a smooth blankness where she could not pass. NO! she thought, speeding her spirit body in the opposite direction, I will not be trapped!
A brilliant light flared into being behind her and Vree felt herself losing control, tumbling into a net of fiery pain and darkness. Her physical body shook and trembled, uncontrollably, knocking her head into the wall and bringing a fresh flood of red-blackness to follow.
A draft passed through the darkness, stirring Vree once more to consciousness. Awareness returned, but she remained motionless, testing the air with her senses for other presences. Her eyes opened in time to see the vertical slash of whiteness widen and flare. She winced away from the brightness, burying her face once again against the stone.
"So this is the nosy Aes Sedai--No! Ayende Vera," the piercingly familiar voice sneered, "that came nosing about in while I dealt with those... pests..." her voice trailed off haughtily.
Mayadi! thought Vree, her mind buzzing painfully into alertness.
Mayadi's footfalls drew nearer, and Vree shifted as though asleep, hiding her face from the Amyrlin. A sharp booted toe landed in Vree's gut and she grunted, curling into herself.
"As I thought!" the Amyrlin shrilled triumphantly, "The little beast is awake and listening to us!" A rustle of skirts signaled she had turned to address another. "Why was she not Stilled or better yet killed instead of brought here?"
A raspy whisper answered, sending a shiver down Vree's back, "This one is strong, Mistress. It is better that she is taken than killed. You will gather the twelve on the eve of the full moon in three days hence. We will be ready."
Vree shivered, the answer had been more of a command than a query; the tone mocking rather than meek; she had no doubt what throat had produced those raspy tones. The Fade's eyeless gaze burned into her spin, evoking an involuntary whimper.
"Mayadi," its use of the Amyrlin's name startled her into a tiny gasp. "Take this child and have her prepared. If she does not accepted us in the time of three days, the ceremony shall commence."
The chilling breeze swept once more through the tiny chamber and all was still. "Very well, my Lord," Mayadi's voice dripped with sarcasm in a room empty of all but Vree to hear. "Well, Child," Mayadi's voice resume almost a pleasant tone. Vree's head jerked up, eyes snapping fire. "We'll see how strong your spirit truly is."
Vree saw the woman's hold on saidar firm and the Air about her twisted and heaved, tightening like a vise about her figure. Gasping for breath, the world exploded around her in a flash of sparking stars....
SianSepta Lia, Plum
With Patty safely back at home, and Jen gone, Lia opened herself a portal and returned to the Tower... She appeared in her little room, off the AP... The air was fresh to her, though choked in Dust, Mayadi seemed frightened, and Pertho seemed.. well... Pertho...
Lia sent Mayadi images of Calmness, feeling a little guilty for trapping her like she had. It had been lovely really.... Mayadi had asked for those who wanted to watch Patty be killed, Lia had raised her hand diligently. Mayadi had recognized her by her hair and eyes she guessed, and said Niece of Liandrin will you attend..? Lia shrugged and joined... Casually making colored comments about the Ayende Vera... Upon reaching the room, Lia held out the silver necklace, remarking that it matched Mayadi's eyes brilliantly... Mayadi seemed pleased, and put it on.... Lia smiled and turned the bracelet on her wrist, completing the circle...
There was something though... something that ate away Lia's mind that she couldn't understand.. She just couldn't kill this woman.... She had hurt Patty, and that should have been more than enough... in fact the very fact this woman had been Aes Sedai was enough in most cases, let alone the Black Ajah.... But something.....
Lia walked through the halls, looking for anyone... and no one, but trailing Mayadi and Pertho behind her. A few new Studè gasped in horror, at the Myrdraal, but many had been there long enough not to be shocked at anything Lia did.
Lia could feel Jen.... she could also feel Patty, Kaitlyn, Rebecca, and everyone else.... That shocked her..... She'd never really been a telepath.. only being able to read emotions and thought through eye contact... but now...
Lia looked at her hand.. the twisted ring was still on it.... she had removed it in Tar, but it was still there... She took it off, wanting to throw it away, but for some strange reason.. couldn't force herself to give up that much of her life.... Slipping it into the pocket of her jacket she walked some more...
She sat quietly in the gardens.. what had once been an agricultural centre... She lay back and watched the sun... A small voice in her head called out... She couldn't hear it quite clearly, but it sounded like trouble... "Great more rescue... "
Mystified, she shimmered her body into that of a silver wolf... Strangely the voice was clearer.... A wolf-talker She thought... dismissing Mayadi's surprised stare at Lia's transformation. She listened closer... it sounded like.... No.... But it did... it sounded like Vree! :::Vree... Can you hear me...?:::
:::Lia..?::: Surprise coated her thoughts.
:::Yeah.. it's me.. uhm... I'll tell Mom and everyone....:::
:::Please hurry, they're going to convert me!:::
Shifting back to herself, she took off running for the Central rooms of the Annex... looking for Jen.... Pertho and Mayadi were forced to follow... Pertho pointed silently to a box set in the wall...
"Of course.. the intercom... Shit I'm dumb." Pressing the button, she spoke clearly and crisply.. businesslike tones... "Everyone who isn't too screwed up to walk I want on Stage now....." Shimmering a gate, she pushed Mayadi and Pertho in, and appeared on Stage.. Waiting...
Meranda
Hearing the voice on the intercom she decided to dispense with the fakery of channeling and just used her wayfar appearing in a slight shimmer of yellow beside Lia. After hearing the story she got a touch angry.
"Stupid humans mucking about where they have no business. Bringing the Shadow Court into my Realm, eh? They think they are Dreamwalkers? It is time to teach a lesson." Others where arriving at this time. "I live the Dreaming. I will get enough glamour off their terror to last for centuries. They will no longer hurt my friends. If I must rip there Dreams to shreds to prove a point I will." Turning from her friend who just stared at her a moment to enter the dreaming she felt a hand on her arm. "What is your plan, Meranda?" Lia asked.
"My plan is to draw the real Shadow Court to them. They may survive; they may not. I can only control others only so much."
"You are a Darkfriend?" She seemed shocked.
"Not as you see it no. I don't have time to explain. We need to get her out of there. I need you all alive you are my last hope." Meranda sighed "Want to come?"
SianSepta Vree, Indigo
Vree awoke to the scratchy sensation of rough wool against her skin. She kept her eyes closed, and breathing slow and steady as she used her other senses to probe for presence in the room. Two others hovered nearby, the soft scuffling of footsteps and swishing of cloth told her something was up.
Her eyes slitted open the tiniest crack to catch a glimpse of her captors. Two women stood nearby, between them a glowing brazier, upon it a myriad of interesting implements. Vree stifled a gasp as the taller woman turned her gaze upon her.
"Ahh..." she said, her voice soft and lilting, "it seems, our little guest is awake..."
Vree watched from beneath her lashes as the tall silver-haired woman approached, striving to keep her muscles from tensing in reaction.
"... and it would seem she would deceive us."
The sharp crack of the woman's knuckles against her cheek caught her by surprise as the world exploded in white, black, and red waves. A driblet of blood trickled from the jagged slash left across her face.
"Sweet," smiled the other, lapping the blood from her barbwire ring.
Vree moaned, the situation was hopeless.
"Idiot!" came the hissed warning of the blonde Sister who had remained by the brazier. Vree recognized her as one of the Green Sisters from her time in the Tower. Syrelah Sedai threw the other woman a stern glare before stalking her Vree's side. "Mayadi will have our heads if this one is injured before the ceremony!" She forcibly grabbed a hold of Vree's head and channeled flows of Spirit, Fire, and Earth into the wound.
Vree shuddered, unable to break the Black Sister's hold. The woman released her, leaving her feeling greasy and sick inside.
Syrelah turned again to the silver haired woman, but before she could begin another lecture, Mayadi made her own appearance.
"I see she is awake," Mayadi's voice was velvet softness. Vree's stomach churned to think of what lay beneath that softness... like reptilian claws sheathed in silken gloves. "Take her to the altar..."
Vree saw the glow of saidar surround the two women briefly, then she was hauled into the air by the firm hands of what looked like golems. The golems roughly dragged her into the next room where they left her on a high marble pedestal, ankles and wrists still bound.
A bright point of light appeared before the bare stone wall before her, lengthening into a slender line of brightness until it touched the floor then widening into a doorway. The light within twisted and fogged, turning shadowy and unclear. Behind the door darker shadows loomed, congregating and gaining substance before a form stepped across. Myrdraal, Fades, one by one filed from the gate until thirteen eerily still figures stood before her.
The soft scraping of slippers against stone told her of the Sisters' approach. She did not need to turn her head to count the women as they entered. Thirteen, thirteen Myrdraal, thirteen Sisters, and enough Black power to taint anything they wished.
Mayadi led the women in a circle about the alter, as the tallest of the Eyeless did the same. The two groups circled the dias together until they had ringed the her in evenly; one Myrdraal between each woman, one Sister between each Fade.
Vree shut her eyes as Mayadi raised her arms aloft and began to chant. The air grew thick and greasy about her, making Vree's stomach churn queasily. A sudden clap of thunder shook the room followed by a scream cut short, startled her eyes open.
Mayadi lay on the floor, unmoving, sliced neatly in two by the opening of a Gate. Her visage hissed and steamed, dissolving into features of a woman Vree once knew, one Leeta Sedai once of the Grey Ajah.
Vree stifled a gasp but the woman who had stepped though the arch had caught her. Her silver grey eyes locking speculatively upon the bound prisoner. Golden blonde hair tumbled artfully down her back as she approached the pedestal, a satisfied smile curling her lip.
"Mistress Graendal," Syrelah ventured, her voice sounding much less sure than before, "we.. we were not expecting your attendance."
"Why, child," the woman replied, gaze not leaving Vree, "you mistake. Moghedien may well have claimed the Tower as her own prowling ground, but 'tis no consequence for me. I come and go as I please." She turned, casting her cool gaze upon the woman.
Syrelah's eyes widened, "Of course, Lady, I never--"
"Enough!" Graendal interrupted her with a wave of the hand, "I've enough of you foolish Aes Sedai quips. I have come for a new pet..." her eyes returned to Vree, "and it seems you have found me an interesting one indeed.... Hmm... yes," her voice grew low and speculative. "Golden eyes... I have yet to have added one of the kin to my collection..."
SianSepta Lia, Plum
Lia sat in the dead center of the Purple Tower's Stage.... Clad in black jeans, and a black tank top, heeled boots reaching just above her ankles, a silver belt, and a white blouse.
The Dusty air made her feel at home.
Her dreams were troubled, She glanced at the clock as shuddered at the time... Noon... Much to bright for her awakeness... But the dreams... Ever since they had rescued Patty, the Dreams had been horrific.... worse than those that had always plagued her.. Like last night, Lia had been holding a woman, a woman of the Black Ajah, one that had once been her friend. Liandrin's third, as Lia was the second... It was a time passed... but Lia held her, channeling the Spirit from Saidin, the Air from Saidar, a touch of water from both.... The woman shuddered, a seal was cracked, and the woman stood... Lia breathed one word,.. "Lissette..." and the woman Channeled, a great flow of Fire that burned down half of the room they were in... Lia stood and clapped for her... Pertho stood at Lia's right side, ever protecting... The dream switched now.... Patty stood before Lia.. in Jen's study... Jen stood quietly in the background as Patty shouted at Lia.... "You could heal That witch , but you can't heal me...."
Then a different Dream.... a dream of Vree.. in chains... Lia woke up screaming.... Hearing Vree's Dying plea for help calling her.. but why could she hear it... Why could only Lia hear the telepathic cries and pleas from her Sisters...
Mayadi stood near, having woken herself and standing behind Pertho as he held Lia's head to a cold cloth... So now Lia sat.... Pertho not far behind, and Mayadi standing carefully far enough away, but not far enough to cause herself pain... Suddenly Lia stood.... "Okay... We're going to Vree.... The dangerous way.... I can't sleep enough to Dream up Tel'aran'rhiod, so we're taking the direct route..." Mayadi looked frightened.... "Mistress... That's.."
"I know... and for the last damn time, My name is Lia.... " She conjured a gateway.. and stepped through.. Pertho followed, and Mayadi stepped in reluctantly...
They stepped into a Dank, dreary room.... carved into some catacomb underground.... Water dripped from somewhere nearby, and screams rose up from somewhere else... Lia shivered in spite of herself.. knowing her comfort was beginning to make her soft, and caring, and self sacrificing... The crack of a whip sounded, Pertho closed his cloak around Lia and Mayadi, and they all drifted invisibly into the shadows... A deformed man dressed in leather walked past them... Lia once again was thankful her Warder was a Myrdraal... They stepped out of shadow..... Mayadi seemed to be relaxing in her bonds to Lia.... They were becoming friends, and Mayadi was happy to be out of whatever she was out of.... They stepped past a room, Thirteen women stood in a circle around an alter, Thirteen Myrdraal stood around as well.... Mayadi tapped her shoulder, and Lia looked in.... "Holy shit.. That's Vree.... "
Pertho clasped a hand over Lia's mouth reminding her to remain silent... Lia nodded.... then Mayadi walked into the room.... Lia had to do a double- take... Two Mayadi's !!! What the..... Then another woman appeared.... The women seemed Frightened, and Vree was removed from the room....
"Damn," Lia hissed, " Now what....?"
Lia's Mayadi formed a Gate, and gestured Lia through it.....
SianSepta Vree, Indigo
Vree awoke to find herself in a small white padded room, her wounds tended, and garbed in a sheer white--gown. She frowned at her clothing... they were somewhat lacking in substance and she was rather more fond of her modesty. Her hands were unfettered, as were her ankles unchained, but she could still feel the presence of a very strong shield between herself and the Source.
Rising to the balls of her feet, Vree felt along the wall. There was no door in sight, but Vree prayed anyway that there was one hidden by the padded walls. Her fingers pressed lightly against the soft satiny material... the strangest stuff with which to line a wall, but to no avail.
"Bloody cocklebrained jack-a-napes!" Vree shouted at the empty room, pounding her fists against the padded wall. Tears ran down her cheeks as she realized the near hopelessness of the moment. She'd heard about Graendal, the Forsaken woman brain-washed her captives and displayed them afterwards as her prized "pets." Well, she's not going to get away with that here. Vree's breaths heaved raggedly as she strove to control her fear.
Fear, an emotion Vree had lacked for years now blossomed in her heart. Even beneath the White Tower, in the midst of the Black Ajah, surrounded by 13 women and 13 Myrdraal... she had not feared. She had planned to kill herself with the tiny dagger at the nape of her neck. The Sisters had not been so thorough as they stripped her of her weapons. Even as the Myrdraals' gate had closed her hand had groped for the tiny blade. Death she did not fear... but living on, dead to the world, a husk for the pleasure of another.... Vree shuddered, a fate worse she could not imagine... and now, even her last resort was gone. She felt for her hidden knives, finding them all taken.
A flare of light marked the chance she had been waiting for. Her eyes darted about the room before she realized there was no where to hide... no where to hide but up. Vree's finger nails easily found holds against the cushioned walls as she pulled herself up and over the path any entering from the Gate must pass.
A blonde woman stepped into the room beneath her, head turning side to side as she examined the room. Vree released her hold on the ceiling as the woman's head turned toward the ceiling, a smile of smug contempt already touching her ruby lips.
The world exploded in white fire as Vree hit the unseen barrier that suddenly sprung into being about the woman. She bounced off the strange shield only to impact against the far wall which suddenly seemed a sheet of embers. She screamed as the pain of black fire joined the rest, her body shaking hard as she gasped for breath.
Graendal's crystalline laughter rang hauntingly through the chamber. Briefly silver grey eyes met that of green gold. "Don't try your pranks with me, young bitch. Else you'll find yourself burned."
Vree's expression twisted into a snarl of hatred as she advanced against the pain, her eyes beginning to glow a rich amber, overcasting the green. She rose shakily to her feet, using the walls for support, wobbling away like a newborn calf, learning to walk for the first time. The pain pounded her mind, ripping at her as does a sand storm batter away at anything in its path.
Her eyes hazed over, dropping a curtain of red across her vision. Her hands locked in a parody of twisted claws around the Forsaken's supple neck. "I WILL NOT... GIVE.... INNN!" Her fingers dug into flesh that was as pale and smooth... and hard as marble. Nails splintered as an agonizing cold reached up through Graendal's flesh, chilling her fingers to the bone.
A sudden desperate burst of energy rushed through her system. She battered at the Forsaken's shield, feeling it falter for a heart beat...
