Prologue: Sparks Falling
Yüklə 383,58 Kb.
|
|
- What? Me! Don't talk drivel! - Elayne laughs: Oh Egwene, we all change, although we're the last to perceive it! I think you'll become Amyrlin one day.... - Amyrlin to what, I wonder? The Tower is broken, the Aes Sedai may even start fighting among themselves for all we know! If this happens, the Shadow will be the only one gaining of it, Elayne. - You know full well we can't allow Elaida to deal with Rand, especially not after the way she took the Tower. - Yes, I know that, but I don't have to like it. What about Moghedien? - Well... We think she's searching for us. - how do you.... never mind. Please, DO be careful Elayne! It is one of the Forsaken after you, with the Light knows what knowledge! Even though Nynaeve bested her once, it doesn't mean next time it won't be the opposite! - I will be careful. Now I must go - tell Rand.... no. I won't.... she winks out. Egwene disguises herself as an Aiel and moves to the Amyrlin's study, where there are now only 6 chairs. She wonders why is that every time they come there are less chairs? She then starts looking at docs [camera flashes of Elaida reading reports and writing]: - Still no news of Davram Bashere and his army, or from Tenobia. - Request for penance from Shemerin. Elaida scrawls that she is not behaving as befits an Aes Sedai anymore! - Sea Folk ships are gathering in the ports of the Sea of Storms, not trading or doing anything else usual. - Report about Elayne and Nynaeve and their near-capture. The sister recommends the responsible Macura woman not be punished - she did what she could. Elaida scrawls: She needs to be made an example of! Punish her severely! You know well how important Elayne is for me! - A report from Caemlyn saying that Morgase was seen by someone at a public audience. But this counters much more numerous reports that she's been in seclusion for almost two weeks now. - A plan for a new palace on the Tower Grounds - a Palace for the Amyrlin! - Egwene shakes her head disgustedly. Suddenly, the door opens and Galad enters, with Siuan and Leane behind him. Siuan is wearing the Amyrlin's stool! Egwene is so startled she can't react in the beginning, then she moves to Emond's Field. She thinks "How did this happen? They weren't dreaming themselves in.... Galad certainly wouldn't." She looks around - there are many changes. The Winesrping Inn is being rebuilt, larger this time. There's a big memorial stone in the middle of the Green, with many names; two flags near it - the wolf banner and the Manetheren banner. Also, many new houses are being built around, with one huge house on a small rise near the village. Suddenly, there's another flicker, and Gawyn rides into the village and kisses her. Her mother appears, carrying a baby - her baby. Egwene runs again, this time to a cosmic-like space with infinite stars in it. She's badly shaken. [camera doulbes] Moghedien comes out from behind a building in Emond's field and mutters "She's strong, that one. Mmmmmm, I wonder where this place is, and why she came here...." / Egwene: "Fool! You almost let yourself be taken by another's dream!" - she starts floating among the stars - they're dreams. [camera centers on her] She floats near one and thinks "Amys's dream. Seh's asleep - good, that means she doesn't suspect I'm here alone. If I could only find Elayne and Nynaeve's dreams....Well, I will one day."
Nynaeve is being shot at by Thom. Her eye is black. She shudders at every thud of a knife. Luca is cheering from aside, saying 'The people in Samara would love this! Beauty in danger - oh how they'll flock to me!' Thom finishes and Nynaeve rushes enraged to him: - Don't you dare do this to me anymore at dusk! - Thom: But there's more than enough light! - I don't care, we're not doing this at dusk anymore! You understand me???? - he nods, smiling, and she stalks away, muttering "Fool men! Fool Valan Luca with his fool dresses and hi full smiles and compliments! Put me against a wall and have men throw sharp things at me!". She bumps into Aludra, who gives her more 'Firesticks' - a new invention of hers she wants people to try and give her feedback. Nynaeve sighs and takes it, then continues to their wagon. She enters, surprising Elayne - she is studying the a'dam. - Nynaeve: Are you playing with this terrible thing again???!!!! - Elayne: I'm not playing with it! I'm studying it! - Why, for the love of the Light? - It's a ter'angreal, and ....Nynaeve, I think I've picked how it works! It creates a sort of link between two women, just like a normal link, but with much altered qualities. In this one, the woman holding the bracelet becomes automatically in control of the other as soon as the link is established. I've also managed to pick up how it does the additional effects! - You sound so excited! Do you wanna have one of these things around your neck???? - Nynaeve, don't you understand? If I managed to discover how this works, I might discover how other ter'angreal work too! I actually think I might be able to MAKE one! There hasn't been anyone with this ability since the Breaking! - Wonderful - mutters Nynaeve. - Hey, what happened to your eye? Were you and Latelle at each other's throats again? - No! I fell! - Nynaeve..... Egwene told me to remind you not to behave like a child! - Ok, OK! It was ... Cerandin, this time. What have you been talking to this woman? She threw me to the ground several times! - I've simply put some backbone in her. Nynaeve, she was behaving like our slave! No woman should behave like that, whatever her circumstances! - Well done! You've managed to make her behave like a stubborn wench now. - What did you do to her? Don't deny it, Nynaeve, she wouldn't attack you without a reason. - (Sigh) - I asked her about sul'dam again. I'm sure she's hiding something! And when I tried to pry it out of her, a little more....forcefully, she.... Give me the ring! I'm going to Tel'aran'rhiod tonight! - But it's my turn! You've been entering almost every night for 10 days! - Come on, please! I have so many questions for Birgitte! Besides, I feel I'm gonna burst if I don't do anything useful today! The fool Luca wants us to move into Samara tomorrow, with the Prophet, his throngs and the Light knows what else there.... Galad behind us, this Prophet ahead of us... and I still can't remember the damn name of that place! - Ok, ok. Just remember to be careful. A little later they prepare to go to sleep. Nynaeve falls asleep.... [DREAM] She is near the menagerie, which is eerily empty, without all the domesticated animals. Some wild animals pass nearby. Nynaeve calls Birgitte, and she appears, and remarks on her dress. Nynaeve takes a look and gasps - it's one of the indecent dresses the performers wear, and which she's gonna wear soon. She hastily changes to Two Rivers dress and asks if she found her? Birgitte answers affirmatively. 'In fact, there's something I want you to see. Come!' They walk hand in hand in total darkness, until they reach a scene bellow them. Four ornate chairs hang in the empty space, with a person in each chair. Moghedien is spying on them from above, but bellow Nynaeve and Birgitte. The four people are talking: - Sammael:.... and I'm getting restless. If we continue like this, he's gonna come straight for my throat! - Graendal: That was the plan from the beginning, wasn't it? We bait him, he comes for you, and we three get him, linked. You agreed to it, why are you backing out now? - Sammael: Because I don't trust you! I WILL be a part of the link, or the plan is off! - Lanfear: Oh, come on! You were never a coward, don't start being one now! If Rahvin can trust us enough to link with us when one of us has to lead, you could too! - Rahvin: If that would be any consolation for you, we'll be watching each other so carefully we won't be able to strike at anyone else than al'Thor! - Sammael: Still, I don't like it! [voices trail off when Birgitte leads her farther. They come back to the menagerie. - Nynaeve: Were they who I thing they were? - Yes, the handsome one was Rahvin, the other man - Sammael, the woman in purple - Graendal, and the one with her back to us - Lanfear. - Moghedien: And the one capturing you is me!- Birgitte turns smoothly knocking an arrow already, but something hurls her 30 feet towards a wagon, where she falls without moving. Nynaeve tries to embrace the Source and fails - she gets shielded, then lifted up in the air in an awkward position. - Moghedien: To think that you have the audacity to try stalking me! ME, the master of Tel'aran'rhiod! I'm gonna die from laughter! Do you know how much effort is going into finding you in the real world, and then you deliver yourself in the dream! - If you haven't sneaked up on me, I would've taught you another lesson, more severe than the one in Tanchiko! You would've skinned you alive! Taken you to be my servant, to humiliate you every hour when you have to clean my chamber pot.... - Air fills her mouth, gagging her. - You're so transparent - don't try to anger me anymore, so that I'd kill you - it won't work. Besides, I'm angry enough with you already. All the work and time you've cost me.... I think I'll take the time to invent a more elaborate punishment for you. Yes, I'll turn you into an animal - a dog, or a cricket. Or a mare - yes, white mare! Then I'll be able to ride you! You'll still remember who you are, of course, but you'll be unable to assume your own form here. - she regards her for a moment - Strange, you manage to cause me to think like Semiragha. I'm not like that usually. Now, to business - that blond chit, is she with you? In this ... menagerie? Interesting. That should narrow down the possibilities considerably. - The gag vanishes and Nynaeve starts spluttering defiance again, then suddenly howls in pain. - You will answer me, or we'll do this all night. Actually, don't answer - your eyes betray you. So, she's here? Then you'll wake up, you'll shield her, bind her, and deliver her and yourself to me in Amador. You know why? Because some things are actually stronger here, in the dream, for example Compulsion. After I'm done, you'll think it your own brilliant idea! You'll never even think of..... - she screams when an arrow bores through her chest. Nynaeve falls to the ground, while she staggers back, blood gushing from the wound. Birgitte yells: Run Nynaeve, get out of here! - suddenly a ..black wave appears around her and swallows her whole. Only the bow remains. Moghedien vanishes. [screen doubles] Nynaeve crawls to the bow calling Birgitte, then starts sobbing. 'I'm sorry Birgitte! I'm sorry that I made you do it! I should be skinned alive...' / Moghedien staggers out of her room, disturbing Linadrin and the others. "You - to Temaile Kinderode! - You have some ability at Healing! Quick!" - Temaile channels and Moghedien shudders wailing. Linadrin channels also and attacks Moghedien, but she strikes back faster and shields her, than slams her to the wall. "So, I was right - you didn't learn your lesson. Let me see.... she starts weaving around the shield, until it all becomes a huge knot - There! Now you'll always know that you are not severed - you can still channel, if you only find someone to unravel the shield. But meanwhile, I'm afraid you'll have to learn how to serve others - starting with our gracious hosts here, who you like so much beating." Liandrin starts begging, while Moghedien turns to the others: "They're in a menagerie somewhere. Go!" / Elayne sees that the sleeping Nynaeve is weeping. She starts trying to wake her up, suspecting that something's wrong. / Liandrin crawls after Moghedien, trying to beg, but she kicks her and goes back to her room unsteadily. Temaile approaches and examines the shield: 'Amazing... you could as well be stilled indeed.' - Linadrin: "Temaile, please! If we link together, we can overwhelm her, as weak as she is after the Healing! We can deliver her to one of the other Chosen, you know they are rivals!" - Temaile slaps her: "You never knew when to stop, Liandrin, how to be careful. Now you'll bear your punishment! I think I'll... soften you for your new job!" - Linadrin starts screaming / Nynaeve suddenly wakes up, and starts wailing aloud [camera centers on her]: "I killed her! She's dead because of me!" - Elayne: Who's dead? What happened? - suddenly the door bangs open - Thom and Huilin enter, Thom is carrying the naked Birgitte. - We heard a noise, and then we found her behind the wagon, like this. I think she's dying! - Nynaeve rushes at them, confusion, then she starts Healing: - She's alive! Elayne, she's alive! But she's wasting away....- she tries Healing again, then cries out in frustration - It isn't working! She doesn't seem injured, there's nothing there to Heal! But she's dying nevertheless..... as if there's nothing in this world to hold her here.... - I may be able to help. Let me try.... - she goes and makes a weave. Nynaeve stares surprised: What was that? What did you do? I think it's working - she's stabilized. What was that? - I ... bonded her. As a Warder. - What? How do you know that weave- it's only for full Aes Sedai! - Yes, well.... I always wanted to bond Rand, since the first day I decided I was in love with him. I ... sneaked several times around the Tower, until I discovered it. Nynaeve checks again on Birgitte: Well, whatever you did, it seems to be working. Much better than my Healing anyway.... - Elayne: What happened Nynaeve? How did she end up...here? [scene jumps] - Nynaeve: ..... that's it. She's here, not in Tel'aran'rhiod anymore, and Moghedien knows where we are. - Oh come on - there are many menageries - Luca said there are as much as eleven around Samara already, and that's not counting any others that are in the region. Besides, after receiving such a wound, even she will have to rest. - Elayne, don't you understand? Birgitte was thrown out in the real world, before her time to be reborn came, she was simply ripped out of Tel'aran'rhiod! Is she still bound to the Wheel like before? Or I've managed to destroy all her own courage has earned her, because I was a blind fool, a man-stubborn prideful fool! - IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT! Moghedien did this, not you! - But I involved her in this, I told her to search.... - Nynaeve, we've talked many times about how men like taking blame for things they have no control over. Now you're acting the same! - I.... I need to be alone for some time.... to walk.... - she goes out. Elayne falls asleep.
Padan Fain walks slowly towards a door in the dusty corridor. He mutters to himself: - Doubt, envy, suspiciousness..... good, good. This place is ripe with them. I know how to use them to achieve my goals. Now, just to get my dagger back.... - he reaches the door, and breaks the simple lock, cringing. Nothing happens and he enters into a dusty storage room. He finds the heavy iron chest, which isn't locked - opens it and takes out the ruby-hilt dagger. HE sighs contently: - That's it! I'm whole again! Suddenly a girl's voice asks: Who are you? What are you doing here? - Fain moves like a snake and hurts her with the dagger. The wound festers in seconds, her body starts going black, etc. He snarls: - Fool! Of course it was guarded! Now I'll have to get rid of the body.... Another voice: - Well well well, if it isn't Master Fain! - he jumps trying to attack the speaker - Alviarin, but she wraps him in Air. - You're the last person I expected to trigger the wards here. You're lucky that only I'm here - if the girl had raised the alarm as she should've, it'll be full of Warders and Aes Sedai here. now, why did you take this dagger? Answer me! - You.... you are one of them. You're Black Ajah - I can smell it! - I don't know what you're talking about. - Indeed. Tell me woman, have you been to Shayol Ghul? I thought not. I have been - I've descended into the Pit of Doom itself. I basked in the presence of the ...Great Lord.... (he flinches with the memory) ... he touched me! Although other things happened to me afterwards too. - Alviarin, stunned: Who are you? You can't be one of the Chosen, or I probably wouldn't be alive anymore. Were you sent by one of them? - Are the likes of you to know what the likes of me plan, or what their missions are? You know exactly how much you need to know, not a sliver more! - (regaining her composure): We'll see who's more important here. I'll clean up your mess, and then ... we'll see. Make sure you don't make any more mistakes - I'll be watching you from now on. - she leaves, and he starts moving after a while. He snarls: "Fool! Why did you need to hurry so much? All your plans here are done because you couldn't restrain your longing! - he starts walking - Never mind, other plans will be formed. Rand al'Thor is getting closer, I can feel it.... And I still have followers, awaiting my orders."
Elayne jumps up, startled - Birgitte is shaking her. Nynaeve is asleep nearby, with dirty feet and all. - Birgitte: Where am I? This isn't Tel'aran'rhiod! - Elayne: No, it isn't. - I remember everything.... it was never like this - I would be spun out without any memory of my previous lives, I would live and then die, and only then would I remember everything! What about Gaidal? He was spun out a little before me, but he must be a baby now! Oh Light, what is he gonna do without me????!!!! I won't cry... I never cry.... - You'll find him, Birgitte! Somehow you will... - Moghedien said she would make me cry forever, and she... - she breaks apart and starts sobbing. Elayne hugs her. Finally, she stops and sees Nynaeve: - Is she all right? Moghedien was doing something to her when I shot... - She's fine, but her spirit is hurt. She blames herself for what happened to you. - If she hadn't asked me to help, she would be learning how to serve right now, and probably you together with her. You are both very brave, but very inexperienced, and Moghedien was stalking you already.... - she looks at her again, then: I can.... feel you.... what does that mean? - Elayne takes a deep breath: I bound you as a warder, Birgitte. You were dying and we couldn't find any other way! - A .... female Warder.... to my knowledge, that has never happened before. It'll be ... interesting to see how the other Aes Sedai will react. - Aaaah, about that....... I have a confession to make. I'm not an Aes Sedai, Birgitte, only an Accepted. Both me and Nynaeve. - An Accepted. Hm..... I knew one Accepted that bonded a Warder during the Trolloc Wars. Barashelle was due to be tested the next day, and certain to gain the shawl, but she was afraid another woman testing the same day would take him. Needless to say, she was not allowed to take the test once this was discovered. They made sure she learned her lesson in the coming years, and then the Amyrlin herself assigned her a Warder, an ugly, grumpy man named Anselan. Yet later they fell in love - go figure. - Wait! Barashelle and Anselan? I know these names! It's a famous story court bards love telling, about an eternal love..... But didn't they know each other as kids, and loved each other always? - Yees, stories change. - she smiles widely. - So, I guess you'll ask me now to keep your dreadful secrets? I guess I'll consider it.... if you don't pull my leash to much. - Elayne, pulling herself coldly - That sounds a lot like a thread ! - I'm sorry.... I didn't mean it like that! Look, people say that I have the sense of humor of a tavern brawler. Please try to get used to that and not get offended! - Very well. I'm just too happy you look fine! I guess you'll ...... go on your own way now? - Elayne, you saved my life. For that I'm happy to pledge mine to you, if you would agree. I'll be a Warder to you in truth, and a friend, if you would have me? - Of course, I'd be happy to! Now, you go back to bed, you still look pale. I need to check on the men. She goes out. Thom and Juilin are awake, talking around a fire. - Thom: For some reason, all stories mention the braid- even more that her archery skills, I don't know why's that..... - Juilin, seeing Elayne: How is she? - She will be fine. I'm more worried about Nynaeve, in fact. - Thom: Yes, this one behaved ... strangely. - Juilin: Strangely???? She came out in her shift, sat with us, never called mo down for staring.... she actually APPOLOGIZED for every cross word she's said to me ever... which is nearly every other word coming out of her mouth. Then she started crying.... I knew once a woman that cut her own husband by mistake - she thought him a thief. She walked like that for a month, then she threw herself in the river. - Thom: IF Nynaeve were a man, I would know what to do, but here you'll have to take care of it, Elayne. - Yes, I know.... Look, a lot of things have happened that you are not aware of.... we thought that there's no need for you to know anything, but.... well..... it's getting too complicated, and we simply have... ne right to keep it from you anymore. You'll be risking your lives if you continue with us. Here's how it is....- she starts telling them, camera pans out while the dawn is coming. Valan Luca appears, shouting for everyone to get up and prepare to move to Samara. Nynaeve and Birgitte come out of the wagon, Luca notices them and shouts: - Ah, Nana, lady Morelin, how good you decided to grace us with your attention! Now move, or these vultures on the other side will scoop up all the gold before we get there! - Nynaeve: There's no need to shout, Mr. Luca! I'm sure there will be gold enough left for you. - Sure, are you? Chin Akima has someone that juggles swords and axes and nine acrobats. NINE! Sillia Cerano has men that paint their faces and do fool's stuff... - he eyes Birgitte - you wouldn't like to paint your face, would you? - Birgitte: I'm not a fool, pretty man, I'm an archer. - Ha! A woman archer???? You must be joking! - Get me a bow and I'll show you who's joking, pretty man. We could wager some coin, if you want. - A coin, you say? Well, why not! But you should know that I'm accounted a good shot myself, and you don't look like you have lots of coins.... - Don't be afraid, I have enough. What about that bow? - he harumphs, then looks around - people have started gathering to watch: OK then, I'll go get it. - and goes away muttering "fool women". - Nynaeve: What are you doing? You can hardly stand! - I'm fine, thank you. And he has nice legs.... although he's too tall for me. - Nynaeve shakes her head in disbelief. They all go a little out to an empty field. Luca comes back with bows and arrows. Birgitte starts selecting arrows, discarding every other one. Luca frowns, then points to a tree: - This will be the target. And let me show you what are you up against first, maybe then you'll change your mind. Birgitte silently raises her bow and shoots at a tree twice as far. She shoots three more times, each arrow splitting the previous one. People gasp. Luca stares for long moments, then: - Nana! It won't be that old man throwing knives at you, it will be her shooting at you! From 200 paces! Birgitte, the golden bow! - Nynaeve and Elayne freeze, but Birgitte is nonchallant: - My name is Maerion, pretty man. And ... could I have a dress like theirs? - Nynaeve hides her head in her hands. Yüklə 383,58 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
|