Prologue: Sparks Falling
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[screen doubles] Mat strides sullenly along the corridors to his room. Melindhra is there. / Moiraine talks to Egwene and Aviendha: Be careful tomorrow, both of you. Rand will need both of you in the future - he'll need people to tell him what he needs to hear, instead of what he wants to. You both handle his temper well, and .... just be careful. - she looks very subdued / Mat: Melindra, I'm going away for a while, on Rand's orders. - On his orders? I thought you had learned to seek your own honor! - He can take this honor and carry it all the way to Caemlyn, I don't want any of this! - Caemlyn? He's going to Caemlyn? - Aaaaah, no, that was just a name that popped in my head - Melindra attacks him with kicks, throwing him around the room. / Moiraine starts writing in her room, with a strange, defeatist look in her eyes/ Mat takes out a dagger and throws it exactly when Melindra is retrieving a weapon from her clothes. She falls down and he scrambles to her: Why? Tell me, Why, for the love of Light? - Some oaths are more important than others, Mat Cauton.... she dies.
It's night and Min and Elayne are talking. - Elayne: ... and so we ended up here. I'm still not sure if what we're doing is right, though.... mayne we should try to go to Rand instead.... - Min: Well.... I had a vision once, remember? About him and others. You are all in this together, even me, I think, but I don't think we need to be physically present with him all the time, only .... to work towards the same goals, with him. I think what you intend to do here in Salidar would help him more than if you were there with him. - Elayne: Min.... I have to ask you something. About another vision of yours..... - Oh shit.... I knew this would come one day.... - So, you did have a viewing that concerns him, and me? - Yes, I did. The very first time I saw him in Baerlon, I had it. Three women that would fall in love with him hopelessly, at the same time. - Was I one of them? - Yes. And I .... am another. - You.... WHAT????? - Yes, I'm a woman too, despite my wearing breaches! I didn't want it to happen, but it did.... I'm in love with him as hopelessly as you are, Elayne. - That's..... that's..... - she takes a slow breath. - No. We are grown women, we can't react as spoiled children fighting over a toy. - Rand is not a toy! - Yes, yes, I'm sorry, I .... sometimes the metaphors I use are not the best. Blood and BLOODY ASHES! When did you.... did you ever.... - No, for Light's sake.... I'm not even sure he sees me as anything more than a friend with a weird gift. We were together for the whole winter in the Mountains of Mist and he never so much as looked at me.... you know.... - Min, I.... like you very much. I don't want to lose you as a friend. - Me neither, Elayne. - Then we'll make this work. Somehow. We'll .... talk about it. We'll deal with it. Hey! You said there were three women? You know who the third is? - No, I don't. - Light, I hope it's not that chit Berelain! In Tear she was trying to snuggle in his bed.... Oh, I haven't told you this, but we have an ally of sorts among the Aiel - her name is Aviendha. She promised me to keep an eye on Rand for me..... for us. You should meet her one day, she's very...level-headed. - Yes, I'd like that. Let's hope the third is someone we could live with. - Oh Light I can't do this! The very idea of sharing a man with someon..... - Elayne, you MUST remember that he isn't just a man! He's the Dragon Reborn, a person ensnared in the Pattern more than we could think! He has no more choice than a twig caught in a wild river has, and we don't either, if we want to be close to him! We have to learn to deal with that, or risk being swept by the current into something none of us would like! - You're right, of course.... I just wished I ... we were closer to him... He has so much to think of, now - dealing with Tear and Cairhien at the same time, controlling the Aiel, uniting the rest of the world... I wish I could be there to give him whatever guidance I can... Egwene says he's becoming harder and harder with each day - like a stone battered by the elements. And how wouldn't he, when everyone around him only sees the Dragon Reborn, a walking prophecy, with not a shred of humanity in him? When there's nobody to show you any emotion, any warmth, when there's no sun to warm you up, you will turn into a cold, hard thing.... [camera transfers gently, showing Rand shaving, with Aviendha watching him] - Aviendha: You scowl as if you would like to murder the mirror, Rand al'Thor. - Rand: Not the mirror, Rahvin. He will die today, or I will. Elayne will have vengeance. - Which won't bring her mother back. And neither your death will console her, rather the opposite. Don't risk your life in your fury, Rand al'Thor! - I won't risk anything - I'm considering my actions, and I've made a detailed plan. I'm thinking as coldly as winter itself. - So I see.... Rand buttons his coat, puts the fat man angreal in his pocket. - Let's go. They march along the corridors - the sun is rising outside. Aviendha asks where are the Maidens, but Rand doesn't answer. Mat comes against them, with Natael on his side. - Mat: Melindra tried to kill me yesterday. I found this in her clothes - he gives him a short dagger, with the golden bees of Illian on its dagger. - Rand: Sammael... or a trick to divert me. I'm starting to think the Forsaken were really trying to lure me to attack him. Well, they're in for a surprise now. Natael, what did you decide? - I think my place is near you, my Lord. Under your...eyes, if you would. - Yes, I think that's better too. Especially given the nature of the ... music you play. Egwene and Moiraine come along the hall. Moiraine is dressed in her finest when she gives him two letters: - These are for you, Rand. - What? More letters? From whom? - From me. Please, don't open them for now - you'll find instructions on their backs. Now, I need to show you something at the docks. - What? The docks? Can't it wait for later? - I'm afraid not, Rand. Besides, an hour sooner or later won't change much in your attack plan. I assume you've assembled your ... guard for this mission? - Yes, They'll be waiting in the courtyard. Oh, very well, let's go. - They go out and start moving towards the docks. [camera doubles] Nynaeve is giving Siuan a lesson in Tel'aran'rhiod. - Siuan: Urgh, what's this foul concoction you gave me? It tastes horribly! - Nynaeve: You wouldn't have need of it if you didn't insist on me teaching you at this time - if you can't sleep, you can't enter Tel'aran'rhiod. - Siuan: Well, you can hardly teach me at the same time as Sheriam and the others. now, Are we gonna waste our time, or...? - they start practicing. Rand goes through the gates that lead to the harbor / Hadnan Kadere is in his wagon, counting money, and packing his stuff, when Lanfear appears all of a sudden. He's stunned: "G- g -great Mistress! I'm immensely honored to be in your presence!" - Lanfear: Yes, I know. I haven't had much time lately to check on you, so now you'll tell me all that happened since we last talked. How is Rand al'Thor behaving? - Great Mistress, I don't....know much, unfortunately.... these infernal Maidens are around him all the time, and Isendre's attempts to sneak into his bed were thwarted.... - Lanfear frowns: You told that chit to sleep with him? I didn't order this! - But Great Mistress, there's no better way to spy on a man, than to slip[ a woman under his blankets! Let me tell you what happened.... [camera centers on Rand] They reach the docks and Moiraine leads them towards Kadere's wagons, grouped, and ready to be unloaded into boats. They dismount and starts asking what is it she wants him to see, when one of the wagons explodes and Lanfear comes out of it, holding Kadere's limp body. Moiraine and Lan immediately launch at her, but she strikes them with Air - they fly back hitting wagons hard. Aiel start attacking veiling themselves, but Lanfear launches fire at them. [camera slowing down] Rand embraces saidin and creates a shield above them, then approaches her. Egwene and Aviendha are behind him, inside the shield, Lan is outside, just rising. Lanfear sees him: - Lanfear: Lews Terrin! You did it again! You cheated on me! The fool told me everything about you and this...Aviendha! Which one is she? Which one? - Egwene, then Aviendha start gasping as she attacks them. Thoughts well up inside Rand's mind - Spirit, woven with some Fire and Earth like this, THERE - he strikes and cuts something, Egwene and Aviendha fall down. - Lanfear: You're MINE, Lews Terrin! - Rand: I was never yours, Mierin! - thoughts continue appearing: Oh, Ilyena! Defeat her using Spirit like this.... - he tries to force them down, thinking: No! I'm Rand al'Thor! I'm me! Shut up! - then says aloud: - My name is Rand al'Thor, and I'll never love one of the Forsaken! - (coldly) Then if you're not mine, you're dead! - she strikes at his heart, and he feels death, but manages to cut the flows in the last second. He counterattacks with clubs of Air, thinking - If I manage to knock her unconscious, then the girls could shield her.... Light, how did I shield them before???? - he starts striding to her, while she reflects his attacks. Suddenly, she realizes what he's doing and starts retreating, until reaching the wagon under which Moiraine is lying, the one with the Red Door ter'angreal. She notices something there and grabs it, then smiles viciously: - Now you'll die, Rand al'Thor! I just don't know whether to let these chits watch you die, or let you watch them die! - she climbs on the wagon, right next to the door, and suddenly attacks his link to saidin, simultaneously clubbing him with Air. Rand falls to the ground, but holds on, reflects her attack and starts drawing on his own angreal. 'Attack her! Use fire, or lightning, or something! Strike at her directly! - Light I can't ! she's a .... woman, and Light save me, I can't attack a woman!' - he starts laughing hysterically - Then you'll die! [camera doubles] / Moiraine starts rising and sees the exact same picture as all these flashes - Lanfear on the wagon, next to the Red door, smiling viciously, and Rand on his knees in front of her, also laughing histerically. [camera centers on Moiraine] She rises carefully, climbing as in a dream on the wagon, then suddenly throws herself at Lanfear, knocking down the angreal. Lanfear cries out and loses control of her flows. Both tumble through the Doorway. Rand rises slowly as the attacks stop, watching the Doorway start glowing and cracking with lightning. - Moiraine! No..... he strides there, then draws back from the heat - the wagon catches fire, while the Doorway starts glowing red, then white-hot, then starts melting. Lan runs past him, and Rand wraps him in Air: - You can't go after her! - Lan, snarling: I know..... but...I have....to..... - the wagon explodes, and Rand shields both of them. When the smoke dissipates, the Doorway is just a lump of metal on the ground, cooling down slowly. - Lan: I can't..... feel her anymore! This means..... - Rand pats his shoulder: I'm sorry Lan. I .... there was nothing I could do. I tried to stop Lanfear, but.... I couldn't bring myself to incinerate her, or else.... - Lan strides away with a stony face. Rand becomes aware of moaning everywhere around, releases the shield, then turns quickly and goes to Egwene and Aviendha. Sorilea and some other Wise ones come running, Mat with them. - Rand: Is she....? - Mat, painfully: I don't know.... Aviendha: She still breaths! The Wise ones check on Egwene and say: - She'll live. Although I don't know what damage the Shadowrunner did to her. Aviendha is on her feet already. Egwene opens her eyes and moans. - Amys: She'll be all right, with a great deal of rest. I'm afraid you won't be meeting anyone in Tel'aran'rhiod anytime soon. Don't give me this look! Aes Sedai, or not, you're still our apprentice, and we won't let you die while in our hands, out of sheer stubbornness! - Bair: And Aviendha won't be able to come with you - Rand nods, but Aviendha shakes her head vigorously: No, I'm fine! I am, indeed! She did something different to me than to Egwene, and she held me much less than her.... I have toh to you, Rand al'Thor - we wouldn't have survived without your help - she was very strong.... I didn't see what happened after.... - Rand clears his throat, then hollowly: They are both.... gone. Lanfear and Moiraine are dead. Aviendha stares at him shocked, while Egwene starts crying. Rand strides away, still in shock. There are more people gathering on the docks, now - helping the injured. There are Aiel burned around, cairhienin and others watching from safe distance. He's thinking: "Great job! You killed Moiraine because you couldn't bring yourself to kill Lanfear! What a hero out of legends you are! But.... Light help me, I couldn't! I TRIED to attack her..... I just couldn't.... And yet.... news of this will spread quickly, and if any of them has spies here he'll think I've abandoned my plan to attack - they won't expect me.... STOP THAT! Mourn, for Light's sake!" He sees Lan, preparing Mandarb on one side, and goes to him: - Rand: Lan, I'm sorry - I wasn't quick enough.... - Lan, with a hard face: The Wheel weaves. She was a soldier, just like you and me, a fighter in this battle against the Shadow. She was aware of what could happen to her, aware that she may die at any moment. She.....wouldn't like if we mourned her. - Still, I'm sorry. Look, I value your advice, your teaching - I'd be glad if you stayed with me during the times to come.... - I can't Rand al'Thor. She did something to my bond, to prevent me from following the fate of Warders that lose their Aes Sedai. - What fate? - The link is much more than a connection to know where one or the other is. It has an element of emotion, of strength too. But... when it's terminated because either one dies... the other one feels is too. I've seen Aes Sedai crying for montsh after their Warder dies. I've also seen Warders attack in a mindless rage when their Aes Sedai dies, forgetting all their training, everything, throwing themselves against impossible odds, just to avenge her. She.... didn't want this to happen to me. So she.... made it so that the bond be transferred if she dies, transferred to another Aes Sedai. I can feel her already, somewhere to the south-west. I have to go to her. - He grips hard the reins, and there's some emotion on his face: - If you see Nynaeve.... tell her.... tell her I've found another. Tell her I'm going to be a Green sister's lover - they do this with their Warders. Tell her... to forget me. It will be better for both of us. - I will. - Lan climbs Mandarb, then puts his hand on Rand's shoulder: - We are alike in many ways, you and I. There's darkness in us, darkness and pain and death, and we radiate it wherever we go. If you ever love a woman, you'll be doing her a favor if you stay away from her. - he straightens and ceremoniously: Peace favor your sword, Rand al'Thor. Tai'Shar Manetheren! - Tai'Shar Malkier! - he rides away. Rand enters a cabin and strikes the wall: MOURN, BURN YOU! She deserves as much, after all she did for you! - she feels his pockets, takes out the letters, then opens the one addressed to him. [he reads the letter, Moiraine's voice describing her knowledge of the events of this morning, the possible futures, then warnings about Aes Sedai and Natael] - She knew.... she knew about Asmodean, and accepted it, she knew about her own death, and accepted that as well, without flinching. - Why do you weep here alone, Rand al'Thor? - Sulin peeks in the cabin. Rand straightens and: - I'm not.... I'm fine. It's hot, that's all. - Then come out, Far Dareis Mai need to talk to you. He follows with an eyebrow raised and stops when he sees a sea of Maidens lined up outside. Amys is also there. - Sulin: We know that you're going to battle one of the Shadowrunners, Rand al'Thor. You sent a summons to men from every society. MEN only! - she takes one of her spears and breaks it on her leg. - What are you doing???? - It seems we won't be needing these anymore, since you won't let us fight for you! - she breaks another. - STOP! - he puts a hand on the next spear, but she breaks it nevertheless, injuring him. - When the clans battled Couladin, you let all the men fight, while insisting that we remained around you, OUT OF THE BATTLE! Are you going to put us in skirts for the rest of our lives, Rand al'Thor? - Rand: You carry my honor, and I choose how you're going to do that! - And it seems in every way that doesn't include the dance of the spears. Don't you understand? The dance is what we ARE, take it away from us, and we could as well marry and have children! - I .... why do you need to die for me? I can't let a woman die, Sulin! It eats me alive! It curdles my insides! When I saw all those Maidens dead after the fall of the tower, I wanted to die myself! Today, I couldn't bring myself to injure even one of the Forsaken! - A foolish thing. A woman is no less dangerous with a weapon than a man. - she makes as if to break her last spear, when Rand channels to stop her. - You ... Don't ...Understand! I won't let you die for me, when there are others that could! - Is that so? Well then, we won't let you choose our destiny - you're not the Creator! Our destiny is related to our purpose, and our purpose is to fight. You're taking away who we are, Rand al'Thor! Rand is embarrassed. Sulin, I.... I.... -release me , and we will talk! - he releases the weaves. - Sulin: I AM the spear, Rand al'Thor, I live to fight. When a lover came between me and the spear, I chose the spear. Many of my sisters have borne children, and given them away to the Wise Ones, because they wanted to continue running with the spears. This is what we are, this is who we are, and you want to take it away from us! You take away our honor! Do you understand now? - So, all you require of me is to let you die along with the others? - Yes. Now you must choose - ji'e'toh, or your way. Just know that your way would mean the end for our honor. Rand swallows hard, then his eyes harden: Choose your Maidens, you'll have as many as the other societies for this expedition.- Sulin continues staring at him - And .... for all others in the future. - She nods and turns, the others start dispersing.
[camera doubles] Rand is going back to the Palace, where Aiel are gathering in the courtyard. / Nynaeve and Siuan have their lesson in Salidar. - Nynaeve: Come on, concentrate! You were better at holding your clothes the other times, what's going on now? [ camera concentrates on Siuan] - Siuan: And what's gotten your temper up today? You were almost civil these last days, and now suddenly..... Wait! Yesterday Sheriam assigned Theodrin to break your block! - Nynaeve frowns and tugs at her braid - She's been at it, hasn't she? Unsuccessfully, most probably. You must persevere, girl, it's not that easy to break a block, and Theodrin herself is a Wilder, if anyone knows how it would be her. - Nynaeve: And I heard that yesterday you threw a shoe at Gareth Bryne, when he asked you to polish them again, properly this time. He still doesn't know it's Min in fact that does all the washing and polishing, does he? - Siuan slaps her, and Nynaeve, surprised, slaps back. They start fighting, rolling on the ground, until Siuan starts laughing: - Light, look at us! Rolling on the ground like two girls! I haven't done this since....since I was 14, I think. - Nynaeve gets up, ashamed. - Siuan: OK, let's deal with our problems like grown women - we'll talk about them, not fight like idiot men. Although most probably we'll end up shouting at each other, it's still better than...that. - Nynaeve: Agreed. I.... - suddenly a face flashes in one of the houses. Nynaeve becomes white - I think we should finish for today. - What? There's still time before the morning chores, besides the thing you gave me will make me sleep past 11, probably. - Still, I .... I need some sleep. I have a lot of work tomorrow... - Oh, come on - just a few more lessons.... Nynaeve suddenly grips the ring on Siuan's chest and rips it away. Siuan vanishes with startled yelp. Nynaeve turns around anxiously, then runs away to Emond's Field. - Oh Light, was it really her? I should get out as well! But.... no, I won't run anymore! I've had enough of running! I will have to face Moghedien eventually! Besides, what will I do back in Salidar this early, run Faolain's errands? - Moghedien: Oh, you enjoy that soooooo much! - Nynaeve yelps, then tries to channel - uselessly. Moghedien cuts her off the Source, then lifts her up again. - It's a lot of fun watching you run around, doing chores, after all the trouble you caused me! Well, now it's over, you can start preparing yourself to serve me, Nynaeve al'Meara, along with everyone else in this pitiful village! Nynaeve starts sobbing: Please don't hurt me! Please! I've had enough fear.... all my days I spend trembling, thinking of what you'll do to me when you catch us finally.... I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!! - Moghedien, disgusted: Hm, I thought you had more backbone than this.... - she releases her, and Nynaeve starts crawling towards her, still pleading. - First I'm gonna make you bring me Elayne - with the two of you under Compulsion, I'll be able to..... Nynaeve is thinking: Just a little closer now....Elayne thinks the link would work even from a distance, even without the leash - just with the collar and bracelet...... - She makes an a'dam bracelet on her hand, than imagines another one on Moghedien's neck. It appears, and a knot of sensations appear in Nynaeve's head. Moghedien gasps and tries to struggle, but Nynaeve blocks her. She tries to run, but Nynaeve imagines pain, and Moghedien falls on the ground, wriggling and screaming. A smile appears on Nynaeve's lips - It worked! It really worked. Moghedien stops trashing, and eyes her with terror. Then her face smooths: - Before you consider anything more... drastic, let me remind you that I could be of immense advantage to you. All the knowledge from the Age of Legends is in me, and you could have it. - Yes, I intend to have it. But, just in case you think you will be able to placate my attention, know that I can now FEEL all you think - the second you think to struggle, or escape, I'll make you feel everything you intended to cause to me, at the same time. - Moghedien gasps, then: - Please, I'll behave, Please! Tell me what you want to know! - The other Forsaken were planning something about Rand. Tell me what. - They intend to trap him. Sammael, Rahvin, Lanfear and Graendal. They intended to lure him to Illian, then meet him together and capture him. - Intended? Why the past? - Because the plan changed as of last night. He's going after Rahvin, not Sammael, so they'll wait for him there. Or at least some of them will - I think Lanfear is playing a double game. - He's going to attack Rahvin and will fall into a trap? Where? - In Caemlyn, Rahvin's in Caemlyn! - Oh Light, Elayne's mother! - She's his pet. Although I think he let her go, or she managed to escape recently, I'm not sure. - Shut up! Let me think. We could go now to Caemlyn, but .... we'll be in Tel'aran'rhiod, not in the real world.... Still, who knows? I can channel using your power, now. OK, prepare yourself: Nynaeve imagines the Royal Palace and the world changes. Yüklə 383,58 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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