WOT Adv 91

--- The Wheel Turns ---
"What's the quickest way back to where we left the horses?" Maer whispered outloud, peering behind the corner of a stone building some paces south of the inn. Four Seanchan soldiers had exited the inn, led by a man wearing ornate armor. They were pulling bodies into the inn.

"Horses?" Fiznak grunted, pulling Maer back to his question. "Since when did the Aiel ride horses?"

"Maer is accepting some of our more palatable 'wetlander' ways," Maeslyn smiled at Maer who grimaced. "But we have yet to see him take up a sword."

"Some things are acceptable." And then he had a dark look. "Others are an abomination." Maer said emphatically. "The horses?"

"To the south," Maeslyn responded. "And the safest route may lead south as well. I'm thinking about that canal you used to creep up on the Seanchan? Do you think they'll be watching that?"

"I don't know. They didn't see Keb and me use it, I don't think. I suppose that's as good an option as any we have," Maer nodded, as he hefted Keb onto his shoulder with a grunt. "Light, what do women eat these days?"

Maeslyn gave him a hooded look.

"Right. Well...Maynard," Maer turned to the Warder. "Can you run and get Althair and the villager to come with us?"

"Yes," He nodded. "They should be back in that fog. I will get them."

"Quickly then," Maeslyn added. "That fog won't last forever."

He bobbed his head again and disappeared around the corner and out of sight.

"And where's Bryna?" Maer asked Maeslyn.

"She is somewhere out there," Maeslyn studied the darkness. "We were separated. Hopefully she has already made her way back to the horses."

"Fiznak, will you scout ahead and let us know which way the patrols are moving?"

"Honor to Serve!" Fiznak saluted him wryly, and then soon disappeared into the shadows.

"Imagine," Maeslyn mused, giving Maer a half smile. "A borderlander taking orders from an Aiel. Who would have thought?"

Maer grunted and studied the darkness. His people had not been across the Dragon Wall in some time. Except for some few who searched for the One Who Would Come With The Dawn. "Wise One," he asked Maeslyn carefully. "Perhaps you would know of this. My father taught me of one carn'a'carn, and warned me that he would save and destroy the Aiel people, and perhaps all others.

"Carn'a'carn?" She questioned.

"Chief of chiefs." Maer translated. "He said that when I found him I would need to make the 'right decision'; whatever that decision would be."

"I am sorry, Maer. I have not heard of this. But I am merely an Accepted of the White Tower. Not yet a full sister."

Maer's face soured and then firmed. "I shall find him. Someday I shall."

Maeslyn nodded, studying his face when Maynard came back with Althair and another villager. Between them they were carrying a still form, the face covered with a cloak. Althair gently laid him down on the ground and adjusted the covering.

Maeslyn raised an eyebrow.

"My son!" Althair cried in a fierce whisper. "Why did he stay and fight? If he ran, he could have lived! Did you make them fight?" He glared at Maer, his eyes full of daggers, mixed with sorrow.

Maer simply stared at him until he lowered his eyes, muttering angrily."Light burn you! He was alive. Now he is dead!" The other villager looks at Althair nervously and then in the direction of the Seanchan near the inn.

"Quiet!" Maeslyn commanded him, her voice angry but tinged with sorrw as well. "We did the best we could, Althair! Maer and Keb risked their lives to try to save your son, as did Maynard. But the enemy commanded a channeler and dozens of soldiers. Many others died tonight and many more lie dying right now, their blood seeping into the earth, and we cannot save them! Even Keb here nearly died, and Maer has many grievous wounds. We sorrow for all of them, but cannot grieve yet. Save that until later. Otherwise, you'll get us all killed!"

The man fell into a sullen silence and nodded, scrubbing his face with the back of his hand. "My son," he whispered to the wrapped corpse.

"My lady," Maynard approached Maeslyn with a slight bow of his head. "There is something I must do and perhaps could use the help of some in your party. In Bryna's home where we were staying, there is--" he paused and warily eyed the others. "-- a certain ter'angreal that Megda Sedai had in her possession. The White Tower would be most displeased should we not make an attempt to recover it."

"Maynard, I--" Suddenly there was movement, and Fiznak stepped out of the shadows, moving silently.

"Peace favor your sword, Maynard." he said with a nod and addressed Maeslyn. "There is a mounted patrol--

There was a sharp intake of breath from the villager, holding his spear in white knuckles and Fiznak shook his head. "No. Not on their dark blighted creatures. Merely on horses. But they do cover the approach to the south. They carry torches. Five of them. I also found the canal you and Maer discussed. It would provide a good route past them, plenty of foilage overhead. But it does go nearby their position and there is a chance of being discovered."

Maeslyn heard but ignored him for the moment. "The White Tower needs that ter'angreal," she said firmly her attention still on Maynard. "But, I don't want any loss of life over it. Not after the bloodshed we've already had. I have a mind to get out now and maybe come back later for the ter'angreal."

"But," Marnard pushed. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but that will surely pose additional risk. Their forces will most likely be reinforced by then. I suggest we move quickly now while they appear to be tending their wounded."

Her eyes passed over Fiznak's hard face. "What do you suggest, friend Fiznak of the Shienar?"

She then studies Maer, "And you, Maer, my ever faithful companion? What now?"