Prologue: Sparks Falling
Yüklə 383,58 Kb.
|
|
- Rand: I'm not dead yet, Aviendha. Thank the Light you're OK too! - she starts dabbing more forcefully on his wounds. He rises - he's not hurt too badly, although his old wound on the side has opened. There is destruction everywhere around. Egwene is fine too, although bruised like Aviendha, but there are many Maidens dead lying around. He stares aghast, thinking "There! You thought you could keep them save by keeping them out of the battle! But no one is safe around you! When are you gonna learn this simple lesson? You're a target, and everyone around you - casualties!". His anger boils and he embraces saidin, getting up, despite Aviendha's protests. He looks at the sky and sees residues of channeled saidin. - Rand: This was one of the male Forsaken, most probably Sammael. I was hoping they would stay away from that battle..... fool hope. Get my horse! - Aviendha: You can barely stand, Rand al'Thor! Do you think he waited that long to attack for no reason? He knows you're tired, now, and he'll use it! - Rand, snarling: And what do you propose I do, stay here while he massacres my people? While he delivers a crucial victory to Couladin? - she winces. - I said, get my horse! I'm not that weak yet! Aviendha gestures and several gai'shain run away. Rhuarc comes up the hill with several Wise Ones, who start helping the wounded. - Rhuarc: You're OK.... we were worried when we saw the tower crash. - Rand: I'm fine. I need to move closer to the battle, if I'm to do anything. Sammael or one of the others has joined the battle, and I can't let him have free rein. How is it going? - Rhuarc: We're doing fine, but the battle is far from over - Couladin's forces still hold. The clans to the east are moving, too, although it's not yet clear what they intend. - Rand: Then we go to plan B - Tell Han to join up with Dhearic and Erim and place themselves as a deterrent to the East. Also, tell the spears to seek Couladin out personally - if he dies today, so will his claim for the title of Car'a'carn. Then, the Shaido will lose all legitimacy, even if they survive today. - Rhuarc nods. Rand climbs his horse, and is startled when Egwene and Aviendha also climb horses - they'll accompany him, along with the Maidens. He tells Sulin that only unhurt Maidens can come, and she flinches - her head is heavily bandaged. The sun moves on the sky, then is covered by clouds - it starts raining heavily. [more battle scenes, now in rain]. Mat's forces move through a valley. - Estean: I had no idea you're such a good commander, Mat - three battles so far, all of them a clear win, against superior forces! - Daerid nearby shakes his head. - Mat: I'm not as good as you make me, Estean - the last encounter was a draw at best, and if that lightning hadn't stabbed right in the middle of the Shaido, we might've gotten the worst of it. - Talmanes: Nonsense! Our position was very solid, and your secret move would've dispersed them even without that lightning! You simply don't want to accept how good you are, for whatever reason! - Mat snarls at him, then looks again through his glass, then curses: A big Shaido force ahead! We should hear from our scouts soon..... A man runs to them: Shaido! At least 5000, as I counted them, and I think Couladin himself is with them! - gasps - Well, at least someone with sleeveless shirt and strange figures on his arms.... - Mat: That's Couladin all right.... He seems to be chasing some one specifically - we've seen him maneuvering the whole day to get closer to that tower. He's after Rand, or I'll eat my hat. OK, that's what we'll do: pikes get ready to form a square on this rise over there; it won't be visible from Couladin's position. We split the cavalry in two - one circles to the left and hides in that wood, the other comes with me to meet Couladin. As soon as we see them, we stop dead, then turn around and run towards the square. - Daerid smiles: A diversion..... - Mat: Yes. And to complete it, I want a cry raised as soon as we start running: Protect the Lord Dragon! ..... the men listen to him with admiration, and Mat hears dice tumbling in his head. More battle scenes, the two forces clashing.... Rand evades more attacks with saidin, tries to counterattack. All of them happen off-screen, though. Night falls, with the battle still raging; the moon is a small crescent in the sky. Rand is riding within his circle of Maidens, but Aviendha and Egwene are gone. He is deadly tired, and thinking: "Such rage....such jealousy.... why, Tel Janin, why? Didn't I give you enough honors? The more honors, the more rage and jealousy.... Well, now I'll do whatever it takes to finish you at last. No, not balefire..... can't use that, threatens the fabric of the Universe..... not even for Ilyena? Oh, my Ilyena, I would burn the world and use my soul for tinder to hear her laugh again...." - his control of saidin is wavering. Suddenly he realized Sulin is holding his horse's bridle. - Sulin: Rand al'Thor? The Wise Ones need to speak with you! - Rand: Not now.... I have too much to do yet.... find Couladin, make sure Sammael doesn't do more mischief.... - You need to go to them NOW. Egwene Sedai and Aviendha went there, already. - Oh? When? I must've missed the runner with the message..... all right then, lead on. - They start moving and Rand is swaying on the saddle. They reach a camp, wounded are lying everywhere. Moiraine is moving around them, Healing, with Lan and Natael, and many Wise Ones. The later comes when he sees the group: - I was sure you're OK! We didn't have news of you for so long.... What happened? - Rand: Sammael.... (control of saidin wavers again, and he sways) - I remember when they called him Destroyer of Hope - after he betrayed the Gates of Hevan, and carried the Shadow into the Heart of Satelle. Hope did seem to die that day.... What's wrong? - Natael's gaping at him in disbelief. - Where are the Wise ones that want to talk to me? - Lan: They're in that tent over there, but they won't welcome you yet. They're meeting with the Wise Ones of the Miagoma, Codarra and the others. - Rand: The clans are finally coming to me.... - Lan: So it seems. But the clan chiefs will only meet you after the Wise Ones are done talking - a tradition, I understand. - Rand: Good, then Han doesn't need to hold them any longer. We can use him in the main battle.... - Lan: The main battle is done, Rand! Completely! - What? How?- The Shaido are utterly broken, there's only a few left south of the city, the rest are over the Gaelyn already. - Why wasn't I informed? - We tried.... but you kept moving. For almost two hours we've tried locating you. Now come, Moraine wants to talk to you. - Rand: Won.... we won... I can rest now. - he releases saidin, and a sudden shock hits him, he sways and falls off the saddle. Cries, 'Moiraine, he's hurt!' ... [camera blacks out].
Mat is in the middle of a fiesta - everyone's singing "Jack o'the Shadows", dancing and drinking. For once Tairens, Cairhienin and Aiel seem to have nothing against each other. He is thinking: - Bloody ta'veren! All of this effort to get away, and here I am again! Moiraine is probably watching from somewhere with that cool Aes Sedai security - "I told you so, Mat" Blood and bloody ashes! - The young hero shouldn't stay alone - a woman's voice says. Melindra approaches with two cups, giving him one. - You earned much ji by killing him, Matrim Cauthon - not as much as if you captured him, but still..... [flashback of Mat fighting and killing Couladin] - Couladin's head on a pike, in the middle of the fiesta. - Mat mutters: I was just trying to stay alive.... He kept coming at me as if nothing else mattered! - You shouldn't try diminishing your glory! You earned it! - Hey Mat - Talmanes and Nalesean (new commander of the Tairen cavalry) approach - did you hear? There was a delegation from Cairhien. The High lords want to organize a grand parade for the Lord Dragon. You should demand your place in it! - Mat: you demand it, Talmanes, I'm done here. - he gapes: - What do you mean you're done here? You're our battle leader! It was your courage, and your strategy that saved all our lives, and brought us victories! It was you that killed Couladin! - But I'm just a gambler! I don't deserve any battle honors! - Nalesean: Lord Mat, you can't escape this, now. The men claim it was only your incredible luck that kept them through four major battles and several skirmishes. They say they'll follow you to the Pit of Doom.... - What! Follow me? You MUST be joking! - We may be lords, but we would follow you there as well. - Mat stares at them in disbelief, thinking: "Ta'veren! I didn't want any of this, did everything in my power to evade it, and they want me for their leader! I saved their hides, it's true, which I couldn't have done but for the memories in my head! Each small step necessary, each - perfectly justifiable: first the doorway in Tear, then the one in Rhuidean where I gained those bloody memories; then staying with the Aiel waiting for a bloody opportunity to leave, until they crossed into Cairhien; then waiting some more to get to more civilized parts.... And now all opportunity to get away has vanished - they'll follow me indeed wherever I go! Blood and BLOODY ASHES!!!!" - he starts laughing madly and the others look at him strangely. - Why are you looking at me like this? Life is very funny, especially on the morning after a battle! Let's celebrate! - he empties the cup in one go, then goes dancing with the others. Rand opens his eyes - he's naked under covers, weak. Aviendha and Natael are in the tent. - Rand: What happened? - Aviendha: You collapsed , after exhausting yourself yesterday. Moiraine Sedai Healed you. Maybe she shouldn't have - it nearly caused her to collapse herself. - Natael: I've heard that what you did is very dangerous - wielding the Power while exhausted. I've heard that the body needs its strength to deal with the Power, regardless of whether you feel it, or not. I've also heard that you could kill or gentle yourself in such circumstances. - Rand, thank you for your Wisdom, Mr. Natael, now if you would share with me what's important? The Shaido? The other clans? - Aviendha: The Shaido are running like the dogs they are - they must be halfway to the Kinslayer's dagger by now. The Wise Ones are still talking, but I heard that the clans are indeed joining you. - Rand: At last.... the Aiel united. What about Cairhien? I'm surprised the Lords haven't come already... - Natael: But they did come - both the Tairen and the Cairhienin. - Aviendha throws him a withering look:
- Rand: I'm fine, Aviendha. Who came? - First the Cairhienin, early in the morning. They begged - literally begged to see you, and Sorilea had to threaten to beat them to turn them back. Two of them, though, managed to talk to me before they left - a Lord Dobraine and Lady Colavere. They wrapped everything in so much mystery, in so many veils, that I almost didn't get it but.... I think they intend to offer you the Sun Throne. Then later the Lord Meilan came with some Tairens, and also insisted on seeing you, saying he wants to give you a grand entry in the city, that he'd like to offer you the city and nation of Cairhien. - Rand: Offer me! He can't offer anything that I haven't won already! The gal of this man.... At any rate, I don't want any throne, I don't have time to concentrate on a single nation when all the world's in peril. So, Meilan wants to give me an entry, does he? All right, it's time to move. Natael, get my horse. - Aviendha: NO! You must rest! What he said about the Power is true - you risked gentling yourself yesterday, and you're still as weak as a kitten! You need to rest! Natael, don't go anywhere! - Rand: I'll rest when I'm dead! - Aviendha recoils, deeply wounded - Natael looks at Rand, then: I'm sorry, Aviendha, but I serve the Dragon Reborn, not you. - He goes out. Aviendha rounds up on Rand: - Since the Great Car'a'carn thinks he's more than flesh, he could go out in his flesh alone. If you manage to find your clothes, and get dressed without falling! - Rand starts dressing, muttering angry to himself, while Aviendha looks disapprovingly. He puts the sword, but she says: - You won't need that anymore, Couladin's dead. - What?! Why did nobody tell me? Who killed him? - Your friend Matrim Cauton killed him in single combat. - What....Mat? I can't believe this..... so he's still here? - He is, and it looks all these Tairens and Cairhienin have taken to follow him personally. - Rand shakes his head: The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. - He goes out, where Maidens have gathered already. - Rand: We're going into the city. You may take as many as you want - we're going to make a nice procession. - He grabs Aviendha, putting her behind himself on the horse, almost falls down at doing that, then they go towards the city. While they're riding through the camp, they see a host of prisoners, patiently waiting their fate. He also notices some bands on the heads of some Aiel - red bands with the Aes Sedai double disk. He asks what's this, and she says:
- Natael, chuckling: It seems you already own a people, my Lord Dragon! The guards at the gates gape when they see him, then somebody finally recognizes him and runs screaming : "Make way for the Lord Dragon! The Dragon Reborn is coming!" When Rand enters the city, throngs gather around him cheering loudly - he's stunned of the people's enthusiasm. They try to touch him, producing a grand confusion. At some point, a Tairen convoy appears, clearing way. Lord Meilan is at their head: - My Lord Dragon - he bows from his saddle - forgive this rabble, but we didn't expect you! If I knew you'd be entering, I would have organized a grand triumph! - Rand: I've had my grand triumph, Meilan. Now, where are the others? - They await you at the Sun Palace, my Lord. If we may? - they continue together, but now the cheers subside. The street starts going up as a ramp, and the square Sun Palace appears ahead, rising above the rest of the city. Lords are gathered in the courtyard - they start shouting "All hail the Dragon Reborn! Eternal glory of the Lord Dragon!" Rand murmurs "Now the show starts... let's see how Moiraine's teachings will work" - he dismounts and greets the Lords, each one differently. They start eyeing each other suspiciously. Rand enters, accompanied by the Maidens and marches into the throne room, full of nobles. Again, a Master of Ceremonies announces his entrance, and there are cheers "All hail the Lord Dragon Rand al'Thor!" All the Cairhienin are in the back, all Tairens - in the front. He strides to the Sun Throne in the far end. While walking he murmurs to Meilan at his side: There are a good deal more Tairen nobles than I expected. - Meilan: A great many wished to serve you here, my Lord. Rand scowls. They reach the Sun throne and Rand turns. - This (gesturing to the throne) belongs to someone else. I'd like a comfortable chair, if you will - I was in the saddle for a long time lately. - murmurs, bustle, until finally a large chair is brought forth. He sits in it: - Why are all Tairen nobles in the front? This is Cairhien - Tairens came here to help, and they deserve their honors, but the country belongs to the Cairhienin nobles! All arrange yourselves according to rank, quick! - again surprised murmurs, then the crowd starts shifting and the front lines change dramatically. - Rand: I've noticed the banners on the towers - it is well that there are so many Tairen ones, because as I said they deserve their honors - they saved lives from the Shaido, brought food to the starving. But I don't need that many Dragons flying - leave only one here at the highest tower of the Palace, and replace all others with the Sun banner - this is Cairhien and its flags have to fly! - a roar erupts in the room as all cairhienin nobles start cheering! Finally, cheers die down, and Rand continues: - I have liberated this city, with the help of my Aiel allies - from now on you will respect them as you respect my Tairen allies, because it is because of them that you're not learning now to obey the Shaido. And now I'll accept your oaths of fealty. - the ceremony starts. [camera pans out]
Nynaeve is sleeping restlessly, having different nightmares of Moghedien, and of her naked, being shot at by Birgitte, who sometimes doesn't miss.... In all her dreams Egwene pops in, speaking about the grand victory in Cairhien, and that she finally managed to find their dreams, but they can't tell anybody of it. Later, she is up washing, in a very foul mood, and exchanging tart remarks with Elayne. At some point: - Nynaeve: I never suspected that you had such an acid tongue, Your Highness! - Elayne: My nurse Lini used to say that men waiting in confined room turn into bears into a glass shop, while women turn into cats in a sack. I can see what three days of being stuck in the room did to you! - Nynaeve: You know full well we can't risk exposing ourselves! You agreed it's wise to remain here! Besides, you don't seem to be very bored, playing with your...gadgets! - At least I'm doing something productive, studying the ter'angreal! While you..... Birgitte enters, banging the door and Elayne rounds on her: Has nobody taught you how to enter a house??? - Birgitte: Thom and Juilin are back from the city, you should hear what they say! - Nynaeve: Back? - she eyes Elayne who shakes her head. - Birgitte: You didn't send them? Elayne darts out and gasps when she notices both of them are hurt. - Elayne Oh Thom, your head! What happened? - Nynaeve: Yes, what happened that you decided to go galivanting in the city without first asking us? Have you forgotten what's the situation? - Juilin, tartly: We haven't forgotten anything! In fact, we decided that if we don't find out at least some news, we can as well give you three knives and let you kill each other, the way you've been striding about these last days! - Nynaeve blushes, while Elayne draws herself up indignantly, but Thom continues: - There is a riot in the city. It started some three hours ago, when Whitecloaks clashed with the Prophet's men. I was expecting this to happen sooner, or later. And now there's chaos everywhere - I even heard the crowd reached one of the shows already, and turned it upside down. - the women look at each other troubled. - Juilin: It's high time we get out of here. It was madness to stick our necks on this headsman's block called Samara in the first place. Whomever is chasing you, you'll be no less dead if you get ripped apart by an angry mob. - Nynaeve, noticing Shienarans entering the show: We may not need to resort to extremities yet, Mt, Sandar. - She goes to Uno: - You! Please tell me you've found a ship! - Uno, staring sullenly at the others: I have, although I don't know how we'll manage to flaming get you aboard. It appeared last night, and I arranged passage for you two, but then all of a sudden bloody Whitecloaks appeared out bloody nowhere and seized it. They still hold it now - I don't know how we'll manage to get past them.... Nynaeve is gaping, and Elayne and Birgitte stare at her hard: - Nynaeve: No, it's not possible he would.... - she turns to Uno: What about Masema? He said he'll help us! - Uno: Masema is too busy cursing the 'light-forsaken' Whitecloaks, and ordering his followers to bring the Light of the Lord Dragon into Amadicia! At least a third have crossed over already, and the others will soon follow - as soon as they bloody destroy everything there is to destroy in the bloody city and in the flaming surroundings! We need to get out immediately! There's another commotion when Galad strides into the show - all the females start gasping and fixing their skirts and hair. But Nynaeve throws herself at him: - You! We told you to find a ship, not to start a bloody riot! - Elayne: A riot? You mean a full-fledged war! That's what he's started! - Galad: Nynaeve, I gave you my word to find you a ship, and there was no other way to keep it! I don't know why the Prophet's vagabonds wanted this ship, but it surely wouldn't have been to let you take passage downriver! - Nynaeve flinches and eyes the others guiltily. - Well, we hold it now, although the Light knows for how long, so let's get going, if you don't mind! They prepare to leave. Valan Luca appears urging everyone to prepare to move out - Sillia Cerano's show has been destroyed and he doesn't intend to wait the same to happen to them. They start on the way to Samara, Galad, Uno and Ragan in the front, the other Shienarans arrayed around them. Everyone's nervous. Nynaeve mutters that they don't need men for protection, but Elayne interjects that they can't risk channeling - if Moghedien or one of the other Black Sisters is nearby, they'll sense them. Nynaeve agrees angrily. They enter the city, which is a scene of destruction, and eerily empty. Suddenly a crowd appears in front of them and immediately rushes with cries. Battle, both Nynaeve and Elayne embrace saidar, but don't channel. Finally, they fight their way to the docks, where the Whitecloaks are holding back another crowd, this time refugees hoping to get aboard the vessel. Galad leads them to the captain, and says these are the passengers he's paid for. Nynaeve then says that they aren't the only passengers - the refugees are coming too. The captain starts protesting, but the Shienarans, Thom and Juilin start doing threatening stuff, then he eyes worriedly the fires multiplying in the city, and nervously agrees. Nynaeve turns to Uno: - So, you've decided to come along? - Well, I've had enough of Masema's mad ramblings. I prefer serving the Lord Dragon directly, if I may, and the others too. We're coming. - Galad strides to them: _ I have to leave you now - it's high time we retreat across the river. Please Elayne, Promise me you'll be careful! Wherever you're going, promise me this! - Elayne, blushing: I promise. Now, go! Everyone aboard, the boat casts off while the chaos consumes Samara. Nynaeve and Elayne watch in despair. - Elayne: The chaos is spreading.... first Ghealdan, now Amadicia.... This Masema won't stop because the Whitecloaks strut threateningly, there will be real battles this time. What have we done? - Nynaeve strides away guiltily.
[camera divides:] The boat trip, Nynaeve, Elayne and Birgitte trying to sooth the passengers. Elayne channels to bring favorable wind - in the background Marigan watches intently. Nynaeve whispers furiously: You channeled! Have you lost whatever brain has been left to you after all this flaunting your legs about the show? What if they feel.... - Elayne: Calm yourself, Nynaeve, you behave like a frightened chicken! We're miles from Samara already! You can't continue being scared from Moghedien for the rest of your life! - Nynaeve bristles, but Birgitte come smiling: If you two don't stop snapping at each other I'll throw both of you in the river! These poor refugees don't need further anguish! - They all stride away, with fake smiles . / Rand meeting with cairhienin nobles, and the Aiel chiefs. [camera centers on Rand] They discuss over maps, showing the Shaido retreating towards the Kinslayer's Dagger, and the situation in Western Cairhien, much of which is taken by Andoran soldiers. He dispatches Mat and his Band on a reconnaissance mission there. They also discuss Tear and Sammael - Rand says he intends to move a large number of Aiel there to face him. The women's cabin, night. Yüklə 383,58 Kb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
|