_______________________ / \ | The Use Of Power | \_______________________/ Chapter 1: The Path To Power ============================ "Sailor Moon, don't panic!" The pretty soldier Sailor Mercury was a voice of calm and reason even when things were at their worst, and the present situation certainly seemed to qualify for that description. "Don't panic?!" The blonde moon Senshi obviously needed to repeat what was said, since she had clearly not been able to take onboard the one, clear instruction and obey it. "Don't panic?! How can you possibly say that? Beryl has just taken Tuxedo Mask back to the Dark Kingdom. They saw through our plan right from the start, now Mars is hurt, and its all my fault!" Sailor Moon collapsed to her knees and began crying while Sailors Jupiter and Venus looked after Mars. Indeed, the Dark Kingdom had seen the Senshi's plan for retrieving Tuxedo Mask for the trap that it was, but they had sprung it against the Senshi instead. They did not manage to steal the Moon Wand and the Silver Imperium Crystal, but that was wholly due to Sailor Mars' heroic efforts, and not any skill or planning on behalf of the other Senshi. However, the trivial victory of not losing something they already possessed was the only one that the Senshi could take from the battle field. Although Sailor Mars was the worst off, all the Senshi were hurt, and Tuxedo Mask had once again slipped through their fingers. The Dark Kingdom's Generals had played them like a well tuned piano, and Beryl was the one calling the tune for this dance. "That's right, Sailor Moon. Don't panic. Now is the time that you need to be calm and think about what we are going to do next." Seeing Venus and Jupiter each put one of Mars' arms around their shoulder, Sailor Mercury helped her leader to her feet. "Come on. The first thing we need to do is get out of here. They might have managed to trap us, but I don't think they expected us to be able to survive those Youma. I especially don't think they expected Sailor Mars to be able to do that... that Mars Flame Sniper. I've never seen anything so powerful, it was much stronger than her normal Fire Soul. But they'll be back, Sailor Moon. And I really think we should not be here when they return." The blonde girl reluctantly got to her feet and soon was able to stop her crying. Shortly after, she assumed Jupiter's position helping Mars along. This gave the black haired fire Senshi a more even set of assistants, and let Sailor Moon be in close proximity, allowing her to repeatedly thank the wounded girl for her help and self sacrifice. Two days later, Sailor Mercury summoned all of the girls back to Rei's temple. Rei, otherwise know and Sailor Mars, was feeling much better already. The magical healing powers conveyed by her Senshi transformation were near miraculous. "What is it, Ami-chan," Rei asked. "Have you detected a Youma attacking?" Beryl was still trying to siphon people's energy. She might have Mamoru - Tuxedo Mask - but she still did not have enough energy to free Metallia from wherever she was imprisoned. If Beryl had successfully captured the Moon Wand and the Silver Imperium Crystal, who knows what state the world would be in now. "No. I actually have some good news." Ami smiled, looking at Usagi in particular. "Really? What is it? Do you know where Tuxedo Mask is going to attack next? Perhaps... Perhaps if we can be there waiting for him, I'll be able to get enough time to be able to cure him from whatever Queen Beryl has done." "No, nothing quite that easy, I'm afraid." "Well? What is it? Do we get to kick some Dark Kingdom butt?" Mako-chan always was the most headstrong Senshi. "Over the last two days, I've been spending all of my time analysing the recordings of the portal that Malachite opened to take Usagi-chan back to the Dark Kingdom. I realise that they saw through our plans, and we were not able to attack them and get Mamoru-san back, but Usagi- chan and Rei-chan managed to make them keep it open for quite a while, even though they ambushed us." Rei blushed, embarrassed by the praise. Nonetheless she kept quiet, allowing Ami to continue. "I'm now pretty sure that I've deciphered how to generate the sort of dimensional sheer necessary to bridge the gap between us. The Mercury Computer actually had some quite comprehensive files on this sort of thing, but I'm not sure if the Moon Kingdom ever perfected dimensional travel. The energy required and the physics involved is just too obscure and improbable, that you really need a working example, at least from where we are in the universe. I should have everything I'll need in my pack, but I wanted to do it here in case I need some additional space. My mother's apartment is not very large, I'm afraid." Everyone blinked several times, before Usagi slowly stood up and took Ami's hands. Looking into the girl's eyes with great seriousness, Usagi spoke. "Are you serious, Ami-chan? Do you really think you can make a portal to the Dark Kingdom? We could really go and get Mamo-chan back?" "I can't guarantee it, Usagi-chan, but I think so. Now don't get excited, this is going to be very dangerous for all of us. We won't be fighting on Earth anymore, this time we'll be in Beryl's home ground." "I'm going." The short blonde girl was filled with determination, and would broke no compromise on the subject. "Yeah. I owe those creeps a knuckle sandwich or two." "Count me in." "Me too. I need to show Malachite that it's not nice to try and blow up shrine maidens." While Usagi's eyes misted over with appreciation for her friends, Ami nodded seriously. "I'll get started right away. However, I really don't expect to be finished until tonight. If you'll wait for me, I'll get it done as soon as possible." True to her word, the young genius did manage to complete her device early that evening. It was slightly after six when the five girls gathered in the back courtyard of Rei's shrine. They had all transformed into their Senshi uniforms in anticipation of combat once they reached the Dark Kingdom, and the tension in the air was almost physical, they were so high strung. Ami's device was small, scarcely larger than a set of kitchen scales. She had put it in one of the non-descript grey boxes you get from electronics stores, with a small dish pointing straight upwards that would eventually be the focus for the portal to the Dark Kingdom. "It's very small, Sailor Mercury... What does it run on?" "A pair of nine volt batteries. Interestingly enough, it seems as though the energy requirement for making a portal is dependant on where you are. If my calculations are correct, Beryl would need as much energy as all of Japan's nuclear power plants generate in a month just to open a one minute portal here. Of course, I did all my calculations in quite a rush, so that might be slightly out." When she saw that Sailor Venus had not understood her explanation fully, Mercury tried again. "It's like being on a slippery-slide. We're at the top, so it does not take much energy. Beryl is at the bottom, so she needs to climb all the way up to get to us, and that takes a lot of effort." This time they understood. "OK. Is everybody ready?" There was a chorus of assents. "Stand back. I'm going to switch it on, and you don't want to be caught in the middle of the portal when that happens..." Sailor Mercury took another step backwards, then pressed the button on her remote control. "That's odd..." Click, click, click. "It should have done something by now..." Click, click, click. "Maybe there is a dry circuit in there... Give me a moment everyone. I'll just check it out..." Confident that the portal was not on - it would have manifested as a black, shimmering oval above the dish of her device - Ami walked into where her work sat. Kneeling down next to it, she reached out and picked it up. Maybe it was a dry circuit contact as she speculated. Maybe her device needed a specific spatial orientation that she was unaware of. Whatever the reason, as soon as Sailor Mercury picked up the small grey box, there was a flash of brilliant light that caused the water Senshi and her latest invention to be outlined in strobing blue and white light before vanishing. A moment later all that remained of a fifth of their team was a small smudge of darkness of the ground. "AMI-CHAAAAAAAAN!!!!" * * * Sailor Mercury shook her head and looked around. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. For some unknown reason her portal device had activated and now she was... Somewhere.... Looking around at the short grass and the neatly tended houses in front of her, she did not think that the current "somewhere" was the Dark Kingdom. For certain, things did not look like Tokyo, but they surely were too nice for any place that spawned Beryl and her ilk. Glancing down at her hand, she tossed the remains of her portal device to the ground. There was not supposed to be enough energy in two regular nine volt batteries to be able to melt a couple of kilos of electronics into a uniform mass of grey plastic and metal. Whatever had gone wrong with her first attempt at inter-dimensional travel, she was not likely to find out in a hurry. Speaking of finding things out in a hurry, she needed to know where she was. There was always a chance - a slim chance - that she was still on her version of Earth. The buildings around her looked primitive, but maybe she was somewhere like the American mid-West, where they still had all those groups that refused to have anything to do with technology. A touch to her ear ring summoned her visor, and she brought out her Mercury computer so that she could begin scanning. From what she knew of Earth and the Dark Kingdom's energy, she should be able to find out which she was in fairly quickly. A low moan escaped her throat when the scan was complete. She was not in either dimension. Looking at the energy levels, she had travelled three-quarters of the way to the Dark Kingdom's dimension, but that was all. Her calculations had been fine, in as far as they applied to the theories she had generated. Unfortunately, those theories had pre- supposed a linear energy relationship between the dimensions. Since that seemed to not be the case, it was no wonder her portal device had not worked properly. Actually, the wonder was that it had worked at all! But where was she? Certainly she would not be able to return home from a place with this level of technology, there was just no way they could generate the power she would need. But if this was just an exception, an isolated outpost, then... Sudden bangs and a scream tore her attention away from the Mercury computer. Looking up, Sailor Mercury banished her visor and looked for the source of the disturbance. The disturbance did not take long to come to her, and the door of the house immediately in front burst open, disgorging a man and his wife, each carrying a small child. Moments later, a creature came out. Large, brutish, and a meld between a man and an eagle, Sailor Mercury instantly knew what she was seeing. "Youma!" Equally, there was only one thing a sailor suited defender of love and justice could do in such a situation. She might be the weakest of the Senshi, but that did not give her any less heart or spirit than her compatriots. Summoning her courage, Mercury pointed a finger at the youma; she needed to buy some time for that family to escape. "Families are there to care and support each other! Attacking innocent people is not allowed! I am Sailor Mercury, and on behalf of the Moon, I shall punish you!" With the family past her so that they would not become lost in the fog of her attack, Sailor Mercury went to work with the only magic she had. The Bubbles Blast would coat the area in fog, giving her enough time to get everyone to safety, and hopefully buy her enough time to think of how she could defeat a Youma without Sailor Moon there to help. "MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!" Pale white bubbles streamed from her hands, like some sort of water based shotgun. However this time, rather than simply covering everything in fog, she totally encased the entire house - Youma included - in ice. The house, the yard, a few trees... Actually, the area would probably be even larger than she could normally have covered in fog. There, frozen solid in the crystal clear ice, Mercury could see the Youma. It was stuck there, preserved like a fly in amber. One hand was raised, holing a club of some sort, and Mercury could swear she could see that it was wearing some sort of linked metal armour; chain mail, she thought it was called. "A-Aes Sedai!" The man stuttered. He was still holding his child, and seemed just as frightened of her as he did of the Youma that had been attacking. The man sounded like he was speaking a dialect of German. She could understand him, but knew that she was far from fluent in the language. He started bowing, while pushing his child behind him, signalling for the little girl to go join her mother. "T-Thank you for saving us, my lady Aes Sedai." "Please, my name is Sailor Mercury." The blue haired girl tried to wave off the thanks. Sailors Venus and Moon thrived on the fans and the attention, but she was more subdued than they were. "T-Thank you, Mercury Sedai. Thank you. It wasn't us! We would never have anything to do with the Dark One. Please, this is a good village, there are no Darkfriends here." The man rambled on, but Mercury was distracted, once again examining the ice formation she had caused. Already she could see beads of moisture appearing on the surface of the ice, and a light fog forming around the frozen house. It was not the ice melting, rather the inverse. Water was condensing out of the air itself, such was the massive cold of the ice. A quick scan showed that the ice block was harder than most stones, frozen to within a few degrees of absolute zero. Well, there was no question of whether the Youma could survive that. Without some sort of anti-freeze treatment in its cells, the freezing would cause every cell in its body to fill with ice crystals that would expand and break the cell walls. Clean, instant, painless. The Youma was completely dead, it just did not know it. Turning away from the people home, she prepared to tell the almost grovelling man that she was sorry. Unless the weather became much hotter, it would probably be days or weeks before he could again enter his home. Before she could speak, more screams and cries rang out. With her improved hearing, Sailor Mercury could easily pick the cries of distress coming from directions all around her. "Excuse me, sir. I have to go." Before the man could offer another word, Sailor Mercury turned and leaped into the distance. Powered by her magic, each step she took was a bound covering meters at a time. Running past a series of houses, Mercury spotted several more Youma running through a field. This time they were carrying lighted touches, and an assortment of primitive weapons, looking more ready to kill people than drain their energy. It was time to find out if she could perform the same miracle that had saved that last man. "MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!" Four Youma, frozen into a solid block in the middle of a small open field. True, now ice covered most of that field, but that was a small price to pay to stop those Youma from pillaging, hurting people and stealing their energy. For the next twenty minutes, Sailor Mercury was flat out busy. She ran from one place to another, casting huge blocks of ice and putting permanent ends to large numbers of ugly Youma. Where most of the ones they had encountered before tended to be some bizarre combination of a woman and something else, most of these ones seemed to be ugly, brutish combinations of men and beasts. Still, they were Youma, she could detect the signature energy of the Dark Kingdom about them, but different nonetheless. When Mercury felt the power of lightning magic in the air, she immediately assumed that Sailor Jupiter must have come through the portal with her. Would it just be the tall Senshi, or would all her friends have followed her? Coating the nearest Youma in another block of ice, Sailor Mercury ran through the village to where she felt the magic being used. Unfortunately, the person she found was not Sailor Jupiter. Rather than the stylish and impressive green skirted sailor suit, this person wore a simple grey cloak. Rather than being young, tall and attractive, this woman was only slightly taller than Ami, and certainly not as pretty as her friend. While the woman was definitely throwing lightning bolts like both Sailor Jupiter and some of the Generals they had faced, she was throwing them at the Youma. For the moment, that was sufficient to label her "friend" in Mercury's book. Jumping down beside her, Mercury gave her a smile, and spoke in her best German, which was as close as she could get to the local language. "Hello. I'm Sailor Mercury. Have you seen any of the Dark Kingdom's Generals? If we could find them, perhaps we could put a stop to all these Youma." Startled, the woman looked at her with wide eyes. "Who... or what, are you?" Perhaps she did not have the language right yet. "I am the sailor suited defender of love and justice, the petty soldier Sailor Mercury. I was asking if you had seen who was summoning these Youma?" "Child, I have no time for your games now. Lan? Would you ensure she stays back? This is no place for children." The big man in the strange looking cloak nodded, but did not say anything. Mercury took a step away from him. He was much larger than she was, and from the blood dripping off his efficient looking sword, he had not just been standing around this evening. "Look out! Here comes another one! MERCURY BUBBLES BLAST!" Raising her hands as the woman raised her staff, Sailor Mercury beat her by an instant. Before lightning could be called from the sky, balls of freezing ice shot from Mercury's cupped palms, creating another small ice berg, and freezing yet another Youma to the side of a building. "B-By the Light... I've never seen..." Touching the stud in her ear, Mercury summoned her visor. The first time she had a spare moment, she had set the Mercury computer scanning for Dark Kingdom energy. Now she had a small map set into one side of the visor, with a set of red dots indicating the presence of more Youma. "Come on, this way. There's only a few left." With the woman's help Mercury disposed of the last of them and sighed in relief. Normally after running around and firing off so many attacks she would be exhausted. Could this be a property of having changed dimensions? Certainly all her theories had said that the dimension should be at a different energy state, but she could not understand why that affected her, or her magic. "Can you sense any more of the trollocs?" "Trollocs? Oh you mean the Youma. No, that's it... I'm getting a very faint signal of Dark Kingdom energy from that direction, but it's different... More pure somehow." "A Fade, I'd stake my sword on it." The woman shook her head. "Wait, Lan. We'll not catch it soon, and likely we would not want to catch it at night, even with this young Aes Sedai beside us. What did you say your name was?" "I am Sailor Mercury. Pleased to meet you." She gave a short bow. "Moiraine Sedai. This is my Warder, Lan Mandragoran. I am please to meet you in this time of need, but I must admit, I do not remember seeing you before in the White Tower... I am certain to remember anyone that would dress as you do, especially if that were of the same Ajah as myself." "Ano... Sedai-san... I'm afraid I don't understand... I've only just gotten here, I don't believe we've ever met before." Moiraine's face stayed relatively impassive, but she was obviously thinking hard. "You're accent is strange, so perhaps you did not understand what I said. My name is Moiraine Sedai, not 'Sedai-san'. But then... Perhaps you are not from Tar Valon. I certainly cannot think of anyone who would wear an outfit like that, not even one of those Tarabon women... Are you from further afield? A Seafolk perhaps? You did say 'Sailor'." Mercury shook her head. "No, Moiraine Sedai-san, I'm afraid I don't know any Seafolk. I'm... I'm from a very long way away. A completely different dimension." From the expression on the young Aes Sedai's face, Moiraine could tell that she did not expect her to understand, but Moiraine did. Unlike most sisters in the White Tower, Moiraine believed that having a sound knowledge of what existed in the Age Of Legends would someday aid her in her fight against the Dark One. To anyone that had studied the Waygates and knew of Tel'aran'rhiod, the World Of Dreams, what she said made perfect sense. "You have come from another plane? You have come from another world to fight the Dark One beside us?" Mercury hesitated, debating how much and what she should tell this woman. "Err... Well, that might be true, we certainly have the same enemies. But there really is a lot more to it than that. Are you from around here? I'm afraid something went terribly wrong, and I need help getting back to my friends. Can you help? I would really like to know where I am, and what is going on. I've never seen that many Youma all in the one place before." Moiraine nodded. "Indeed. I would give much to be able to speak with someone from another world. To learn from them their views, and how they keep the Dark One in check. Lan, would you lend Sailor Mercury your cloak? Perhaps in something a little less obvious, we may be able to return to the inn for a short time." Lan was the efficient looking man beside her, and immediately obeyed her request. He was strong, broad and well built, with hair going slightly grey in places, kept back by a narrow leather headband. His face was like that of one of the American presidents carved into Mount Rushmore. Not so much that he resembled an ex-president, but more that he resembled a face carved out of stone. "Oh, thank you for the offer, Mandragoran-san, but I can change into something less conspicuous easily enough." Concentrating for a moment, Sailor Mercury let her transformation drop. After a brief glow of white light, her sailor suit vanished, and she was returned to her normal school uniform. Unfortunately, it too was a sailor suit, with many similar features. Rather than a blue bow on her chest, her school uniform's was red, and while the shirt was much looser than the Senshi's body hugging suit, it still had a low neckline compared to what Moiraine was used to. Equally, while the skirt was now below her knees - thankfully - few women in this part of the world would consider the current length acceptable. "Perhaps you still need the cloak. Please, take it, if only for a time, Sailor Mercury." Taking the cloak, Ami wrapped it around her shoulders, and tied it in front. The cloak was far too long, trailing in the dirt since it was designed for someone Lan's size. However, now that she was no longer protected by the Senshi magic, Ami had to admit that she appreciated the cloak's warmth. Wherever she was, it felt like it was either winter, or a very northern summer. "Actually, Moiraine Sedai-san, when I'm not wearing the Senshi uniform, my name is Mizuno Ami... Err, that would probably be Ami Mizuno in your language. And thank you for the cloak, Mandragoran-san; it's very warm." Lan simply nodded, but Moiraine gestured for the three of them to head back towards the centre of the village where the inn was located. "You use the word 'san' after our names. Is this the custom where you come from?" Ami bobbed her head, embarrassed to have been caught out in a slip-up between languages. "Oh, I'm sorry. In my language - Japanese - 'san' is used to be polite when you speak to someone. Since this language is like German, should I be calling you 'Frau Moiraine' and 'Herr Mandragoran'?" That almost made the pair of adults smile. "No, 'Sedai' is my title. It means I am an Aes Sedai. One of the people trained by the White Tower, capable of channelling saidar. I... I do not mean to be rude when I ask this but... how old are you? Earlier, I could not quite grasp your features, but now you look very young, barely a child even. I mean no offence." Moiraine did not like asking the girl's age. Amongst Aes Sedai it was considered a faux pas to ask. Once a girl had been raised to a full Aes Sedai, she was considered equal to all others regardless of age. An Aes Sedai's standing was evaluated purely on their strength. She hoped she did not offend the powerful young lady beside her. Ami smiled. The Senshi transformation was designed to hide their features from observation, making people incapable of remembering who they really saw. Naturally, she would look young to the woman beside her. "I'm not offended at all. I'm fourteen years old. I go to Juuban Middle School." "FOURTEEN!?" Moiraine exclaimed loudly, before looking around rapidly and composing herself. "Fourteen? That can't be! Even with a Sa'angreal I could not have matched your power with weaving water. Even then, I would be exhausted after channelling half as much as you have done this evening." "Channelling? I'm not sure what that is. What I do is magic. When I become Sailor Mercury, I can perform water based magic. For some reason, and I'm not quite sure why yet, since I've come here, my magic seems much stronger than before." That was rather a large understatement, but Ami did not want to complicate things unnecessarily. 'Interesting,' Moiraine thought. 'A natural channeller, who already possesses a Sa'angreal.' "Are there many others like you, where you come from?" As they entered the inn and sat at a table Moiraine indicated, Ami listed off her friends. "There's Usagi-chan, she's Sailor Moon. Minako- chan's Sailor Venus, Rei-chan is Sailor Mars, and Makoto-chan is Sailor Jupiter. There's just the five of us." "Five. Interesting. Do you per chance have different 'magic'? Or do all of you channel water?" "Why, yes, we do have different magic. How did you know?" "Let me guess. One of each of you can channel the following powers: earth, air, fire, water and spirit." "Hmm, Rei-chan and I would definitely be fire and water. Usagi-chan would have to be spirit, there's no doubt about that. I think Mako-chan is earth, but I'm not sure. Mina-chan could be air, but she's Sailor Venus, and always says she's the Senshi of love. Why? Is it important?" "There are five different flows within the saidar. An Aes Sedai can channel all five of these. I am beginning to wonder whether you and your friends are so strong simply because you can only channel one of these. Tell me, who taught you to channel?" Ami blinked. People could be taught to do magic? She had always assumed it was just something she could do. It was, after all, magic. Why would you need to learn? "No one taught me. When Usagi-chan discovered that I was Sailor Mercury, she gave me this Henshin stick. It lets me transform into Sailor Mercury." Taking the offered stick, Moiraine considered it. It was made of some strange, smooth blue substance. She was reluctant to channel into it lest she trigger some sort of undesired effect, but from her brief examination, it did not seem to be one of the mysterious Ter'angreal that she was familiar with. "What does it do?" "When I hold it up in the air and say 'Mercury Prism Power, Make Up', I change into Sailor Mercury. No one else can use it." Taking it back, Mercury put her Henshin stick away and smiled as Lan arrived with drinks. Taking a steaming cup from him, Ami inhaled deeply of the thick, sweet smell. Taking a hesitant sip of the hot drink, Ami's eyes opened wide. "Oh my. This tastes like wine. I'm afraid I'm too young to drink. Do you have any coffee instead?" "Coffee? I've never heard of that drink. What do you mean you are too young to drink? No one can survive without drinking. Not even an Aes Sedai." Again, that same guileless smile. "No, I meant I'm too young to drink alcohol. Do you have any tea or juice? Even just water would be fine." Lan spoke in a low rumble. "I'll get some tea. The child over there was saying she's the Wisdom for this village. She'll have some herbal tea, I'd think." Leaning forwards, Moiraine took a sip of her own mulled wine. "It is strange that you should say that. Some people will drink tea, but most will only drink milk or ale. Wine is more common in different climates, but down here the grapes do not grow well." For a moment, Ami was silent. Eventually, when she spoke, there was a tone of resignation in her voice. "I guess I was afraid of that when I saw the village. Everything here is so... simple. If people drink ale, or wine or milk all the time, it usually means they are not drinking a lot of water. Historically, even in most villages the water supply was quickly polluted and dangerous to drink. That's why people drank something that had been brewed or came fresh from an animal. Of course, travellers drink water, since the springs and rivers are probably all clean, but the cities aren't." "That seems to concern you." "It does. Historically the Japanese drank a lot of rice wine called sake, or tea where the water had been boiled. Even the early Romans drank wine, and they had the most advanced sanitation system short of the modern world. No clean water means no modern sanitation. No sanitation means no technology, and no technology means no way home." Ami put her face into her hands and began to sob quietly, leaning on the table. She had only been here for an hour or two, and already she knew she was stranded. She would never see her friends again. Never help them save Mamoru. Never get to finish high school. Never get to see Usagi's smiling face again. Never help the Sailor Senshi defeat the Dark Kingdom and save the world. Never get to do so many things an ordinary Japanese girl got to take for granted. After a time she became aware of the weight of a hand on her back, gently rubbing as she sobbed. Throwing her arms around the woman, Ami let herself cry for a while. Cry for all she had lost. All the chances she would never have. She was not a great student of history, but she was moderately familiar, as with most subjects. She knew that a girl like her - someone with an above average intellect - would not live well in a world like this. Ami was sure that in just a few short years she would probably be forced to marry some man she hardly knew, baring children for him at an early age, then growing old rapidly and dying young. The life of a poor peasant girl was not kind, and without any money, she did not see how she could become anything else in this strange land. "Hush, Child. Hush. Things are not always as bad as they may first seem." Turning teary eyes to Moiraine, Ami struggled to speak. "I... I had always wanted to grow up to be a doctor. My mother is a doctor, and I was going to school, studying very hard, just so that I could get into a good university. Now... Now all that's gone. I don't know how to farm, I'm not an artist or anything like that... What can I possibly do in this world? There's no way I can possibly get back home." Moiraine smiled reassuringly, gently running a hand through Ami's short hair. "Oh, dear. Is that what you were so worried about?" She shook her head. "I and the other Aes Sedai at the White Tower would be delighted to have you come and join us. You have the most incredible strength when you transform. For that power alone and the will to fight the Dark One, the White Tower would seek your aid. With your knowledge of another world, our scholars could spend the next century learning from you. "And just think, even if you are not as strong with the other forms of saidar as you are with water, we already know that you can channel. For most girls, learning to be an Aes Sedai takes many years. I will not force you to come to the Tower and learn our ways, but perhaps you will reconsider your career as a doctor when you learn that an Aes Sedai channelling can heal things no doctor ever could?" As quickly as they came, Ami found her fears banished. True, she may never see her dear friends again, and she was trapped in a world that made the Sengoku Jidai seem like a technologically advanced era, but at least now she could see she had a future. Hope is that thing that allows us to continue when we have nothing else, and Moiraine had just given her that gift of hope. Ami opened her mouth to thank Moiraine for her kind comments, but all that came out was a massive yawn. Blushing furiously, Ami apologised profusely, only to be stopped when Lan gave her a small smile and overrode her comments. "It looks like you are as tired as Moiraine, Little One. I've asked Master al'Vere to provide another room for you. No, don't protest, you did everyone in Edmond's Field a great service this afternoon, and it is the least that can be done. Were it not you for, more than one man would have lost his life this day, and we would likely still be fighting now." "Lan speaks nothing but the truth, Ami. I may be an Aes Sedai, but there are limits to my power, even with an angreal to assist me. It would come as no surprise should this fight have taken hours without you. Even if we had won by now, I can guarantee I would be spending the rest of my night healing those wounded by the trollocs. Please, rest yourself. I shall have some food and warmer clothing sent up to you. Accept it as your due. You have saved many people and their livelihoods. Be proud of what you have done." Giving a shy smile, and nodding her head in thanks, Ami let Lan lead her upstairs to where a pretty dark haired girl was waiting outside one of the rooms. The girl was taller than her, and looked to be several years older. Where Ami had short cropped hair, the girl's was long, thick and dark, held in a thick plait down her back. "My name is Egwene al'Vere. My father owns this inn, and is the mayor of Edmond's Field. I've put some roast and vegetables there for you... Master Lan said you might be hungry." The girl - young woman really - looked rather self conscious for a moment, before continuing on. "I'd like to thank you, Mistress Sedai, for saving us. Everyone would. Even Sara Congar is hemming her new cloak to give you, seeing as you don't have anything. Err, she was the woman with the small girl... You covered their house in ice, but the trollocs had already set it on fire. You not only saved her family, you saved everything they own, too." Ami gave a weary smile and bowed to the girl. "Thank you, Mistress al'Vere. My name is Ami Mizuno. Please, call me Ami." Although still nervous being faced with a powerful channeller, Egwene blushed slightly. "No one has ever called me Mistress al'Vere before. It's always been 'Egwene'... We were supposed to be celebrating Winternight tonight and Bel Tine tomorrow, but after the trollocs, I'm not sure... I suppose we'll spend all of tomorrow cleaning up after you ice melts." Sitting down on the end of the bed, Ami wondered if she would ever be able to stand again. Not only was today a demanding day, but the emotional roller-coaster had left her fatigued beyond belief. "Oh, I doubt you'll need to worry about it so soon. When I scanned them earlier, they seemed rather cold. Does it get much warmer than this during the day?" "No, Ami Sedai. It's the middle of winter." Egwene managed to restrain herself from adding the words "of course" to the end of the sentence. How anyone could fail to know what season it was, was completely beyond Egwene. "Just 'Ami' please. Well, since its winter, I don't think those icebergs are going to thaw for a week at least. Go ahead and celebrate. You've earned it." "Thank you... Ami... If you'll be wanting me, please call or come and ask for me. If we do begin the Winternight festival, I'll come up and check on you." Ami gave a small wave as the girl left, then kicked off her shoes and lay on the bed before pulling the heavy blanket and comforter over her. Without a fire, this room would probably get quite cold in the winter. However, by the feel of it, the comforter was stuffed with real goose or duck down. It would have been expensive in Tokyo, but in a simple farming community like this, she expected everyone would have one. * * * Awaking late the next morning, Ami realised with shame she not only did not need to get dressed, she did not have another set of clothes to change into. Giving an embarrassed tug at the hem of her school blouse, Ami tried to straighten out some of the wrinkles that had set in during her sleep. Unfortunately, the action neither made the cloth any less wrinkled, nor her any less concerned about her appearance. On a small chest near the door was a folded heavy cloak. It was not Lan's, but if it was going to be as cold as yesterday, she would need it anyway. The cloak was well made, and exactly the right height for her. Unless she missed her guess, this would be Mistress Congar's cloak that Mistress Egwene mentioned yesterday. Opening the door, Ami almost walked straight into Lan, who only just managed to stop himself from hitting Ami on the head. His fist remained where it was for a few moments as he halted mid-action, preventing himself from knocking on a door that was now open. "Ahh... Ami Sedai. Moiraine has asked me to come and get you. An injured man has just been brought in." "What?! On no, Master Mondargoran, did we miss someone last night?" Leading the girl down the corridor, Lan shook his head. "No. The man's son brought him in. Seems the trollocs attacked a couple of the outlying farms last night also." "Oh, I knew we should have kept looking! If only I hadn't gone to bed like that! If I'd thought to check on people nearby, maybe we could have saved him." "Aye, maybe we could... And maybe we would have ended up with two dead Aes Sedai, a dead Warder and a defenceless village instead. We had no way of knowing were they were, or what they were doing. If we went out and looked for them last night, everything would have been in the trollocs favour. Make no mistake about it, there's a Myrddraal about too, maybe more than one. No, if we went looking for them, the man would still be hurt, and we would have risked a great deal in exchange." Ami nodded, intellectually accepting what Lan had said, but struggling against it emotionally. Whenever she had been with Sailor Moon, they always managed to get the job done. Admittedly, it sometimes took them a while to find the Youma and defeat its evil plan, but they never left a job half done. Somehow, Ami knew, until she could return to her own world, she would need to find a way to do the job of the whole Senshi team, just as they would even now be learning to live without her. Entering a room, Ami looked up at a very tall boy who was talking to Moiraine. Slightly older than Mamoru, the boy must have been at least half a head taller than her friend, with a mop of bright red hair, much like Naru's. More important than the boy, was the man lying on the bed. He was moaning slightly and sweating like he had just run a four minute mile. His skin was flushed, and his breathing was both rapid and shallow. The boy could wait. The man obviously had a fever, and unless they could treat it quickly, death or brain damage would be the certain result. Ami's mother was a podiatrist, a doctor specialising in children's medicine, and that was Ami's goal too. In fact, she had been studying her for university pre-med qualifications after school, and had applied for a scholarship at a renowned German university to study medicine. She had not received the results for the exams she had only recently taken, but based on what she had learnt, she was confident she would pass, and in all modesty, she expected to qualify for a scholarship, even though she was only fourteen. None of that was likely to happen now, but it had given her a firm grounding in modern medicine, and that may well mean the difference between life and death. Of course, modern medicine relied upon modern pharmaceuticals, modern hospitals, and modern analysis equipment. She might be lacking two out of three, but the Mercury computer and her visor would be able to beat any medical equipment available to twentieth century earth. Raising her Henshin stick to the sky, Ami called out: "Mercury Prism Power, Make Up!" The power that rushed through her upon transformation was like nothing she had ever experienced before. So much more intense, so formidable and all pervasive was the power that Ami almost lost consciousness simply doing her transformation. Once the transformation was complete, everything seemed normal, but she knew from yesterday's experience that there was plenty of power at her fingertips waiting to be used. If she had Usagi's Moon Healing Activation, the man would be healed and back on the farm instantly. However, all she had was her analytical ability, so she wasted no time wishing for things she could not have. Touching a stud on her ear, the blue transparent visor immediately began scanning the man, building a complete image of him, isolating toxins, and detailing injuries. Intent on the readouts coming to her, Sailor Mercury hardly noticed when Moiraine came along side her. "That was your transformation? You need to do that to change from Ami Mizuno into Sailor Mercury?" "Yes." The answer was brief, distracted as she was. "I must get you to repeat that for me sometime. It was quite incredible. I would almost swear I saw a weave deliver some form of massive spike towards the One Source. Perhaps a pipe is more accurate, a hollow spike." Moiraine was silent for a moment, dwelling on an incredibly frightening concept. "Perhaps Bore might be a better description. The same sort of Bore that opened a hole in the Dark One's prison at the end of the Age Of Legends." "Yes..." Ami clearly was not concentrating on Moiraine said. "Moiraine Sedai, we're going to have to get some cold water. If we can't get this man's fever down, we won't get a chance to cure whatever has poisoned him. He'll die before any medicine has a chance to work." "Perhaps, then, it is time for you to receive your first lesson in the differences between an Aes Sedai and one of your Sailor Senshi. Watch, Sailor Mercury, and tell me if you can see any of what I am doing." Hesitating for a moment, Moiraine continued. "You may also wish to reconsider where you transform in the future. I'm afraid you gave all of us quite a show, including young Rand." Advancing on the recumbent man, Moiraine took a seat beside him and pulled out a small ivory figurine that had been turned almost black with age and countless hands touching it. Concentrating on the wound caused by a trolloc's blade, Moiraine began weaving Air, Water and Spirit in a complex fashion, forcing her energies into the wound, sewing flesh back together and healing the damage done. Simultaneously, she attacked the dark energies that the trolloc's wound had poisoned him with, banishing them away, eradicating all sign of them. When she was finished, Moiraine leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "A job well done. He'll still be tired for a week, the body needs to provide some of the energy for the healing, but a good job nonetheless. It is fortunate that you were here to help us last night. If I had been forced to fight those trollocs alone, with no one but Lan and the villagers to help, I'd would be too exhausted to do more than the least healing on this man." "That was very impressive work, Moiraine Sedai. I've never seen anything so complex before. Whenever Usagi-chan - that's Sailor Moon - heals someone she usually just does it with using spirit weaves. Of course, hers is a bit stronger than yours." Moiraine lifted an eyebrow coolly. "Stronger? I knew your transformation gave you access to the One Power, but I thought you said that you were weaker where you came from. Do not forget, I was using an angreal. While it does not seem to be as strong as your 'Sailor suit', there is no questioning that it makes me substantially stronger." "Oh, I didn't mean to offend you, Moiraine Sedai. Mina-chan, Mako-chan, Rei-chan and I would probably only be able to use as much power as you just did then. Usagi-chan is special. She's the reincarnation of the Moon Princess. Everyone who sees it agrees that Sailor Moon's Moon Healing Activation is very powerful. She can cure a person who has been possessed by a Youma with one attack." Shifting in her seat, Moiraine was suddenly nervous. Unknown to her, Ami had just stumbled onto a topic that was dangerous to discuss even in the best circumstances. Talk of reincarnated heroes invariably brought people around to the idea of the Dragon Reborn, and if Moiraine's guess was right, this 'Usagi-chan' was the equivalent of the Dragon Reborn on Ami's world. "I think we should take this conversation elsewhere, Ami. Rand would most likely wish to remain with his father for a time. For that matter, he too should get some rest. Lan, would you be kind enough to ask Master al'Vere to provide some food for the boy and his father? Both will need sleep, but I have no doubt that they will be hungry as soon as they awake. Ami and I shall be in our quarters, continuing this discussion there." "Yes, Moiraine Sedai. I'll wait outside you're door when I am done." Lan too had caught the connotations associated with what Ami had been saying. Following behind Moiraine, the young dark haired girl spoke quietly so that no one else would hear. "Moiraine Sedai... Would you please call me Sailor Mercury when I am transformed? It's like your title of 'Sedai', and its also good for keeping my real identity secret." Pausing in the doorway of her room, Moiraine looked at Ami in confusion for a moment. "You wear clothes than no woman in the world would wear, even when you are not Sailor Mercury, and you expect to keep your identity secret? You speak our language with only passing familiarity, a very strange accent, and you are unfamiliar with almost everything a person would consider 'normal' in the world. Do you honestly expect to hide your identity?" "No, well, not really... But it... But it reminds me of my friends, and everything we did together. I know I have to accept that I might not see them again, but we did so much together. We fought for love and justice, and we were the only ones that could stand between Beryl and her freeing Metallia and taking over the world, I guess---" "Quiet! Those names! How did you know them? Don't you have any concept of what it could mean naming the Dark One like that somewhere that people can hear you? Even if they think you are an Aes Sedai, they are as likely to chase you out of town as not." Ami blinked a couple of times. "Ano... What names? Beryl and Metallia?" "Yes! Those names." Moiraine paced around the room for a moment trying to calm herself before sitting down on the room's one chair and gesturing for Sailor Mercury to sit on the bed. "Perhaps you do not understand, and it is time to make you aware of some of the facts of the world that we live in. Maybe then you can explain why you are so fast and free with those names you use. "At the end of the Age Of Legends, mankind had almost godlike powers. There was little the ancients could not do, constructing great cities and establishing a land of peace and prosperity. But as always, the people were greedy, and they constantly sought new sources of power. "Well, they found it. They found a source of power great enough to rival that of the Creator himself. But that power was protected, shielded, locked away from the world. Unfortunately, it was only after they had created the Bore that they found out why this was so. The end of the Age Of Legends came when the ancients created a hole in the Dark One's prison, setting his forces free upon the world. The Dark One himself was not freed, but enough of his power was unleashed that great armies of trollocs were created and they battled mankind for many years. I am assuming those trollocs are the same as your Youma. "Trollocs and a host of creatures far worse were created, and man fell upon man in madness and fighting, just as we fought the Dark One's minions during a time known as The War Of The Shadow. Even though the Dark One created a taint upon the male half of the One Power that drives men insane, in the last days of the Age Of Legends, the ancients put a seal upon the Dark One's prison, trapping him and his strongest followers in the place where the Bore was created. A place called Shayol Ghul. The followers are known as the Forsaken, because they have forsaken their humanity for the Dark One's gifts." Moiraine sighed, before drawing a deep breath, then making contact with saidar, the female half of the One Power. "To name the Dark One is to bring his attention down upon you. For most people, this does not amount to much, but this village is far from Shayol Ghul and the Blight where most trollocs live. If my suspicions are correct, we can ill afford to bring attention to this village. It is only when an Aes Sedai is in contact with the One Power that she is protected from the observation of the Dark One. Only now that I am drawing saidar that I am safe to name the Dark One without alerting him. "The Dark One has many names, as befitting an evil of his stature. Some of them are names given to him to avoid his attention: the Dark One, Sightblinder, Father Of Lies, Heartsbane and so on. Others are his true names, names that will capture and hold his attention should they be spoken: Shai'tan, Ba'alzamon... Metallia... "Now you can see why I feared when you said that name. Perhaps this transformation of yours allows you to touch saidar at all times and we are safe. Perhaps not. I expect we shall only know that once you have completed your training as an Aes Sedai and can answer it for yourself. I can see the aura of saidar around you, which until today I would have taken to mean you were channelling. However, until today, I also believed it was not possible for a woman to touch saidar unless she was trained and knew how to channel. "The other reason I feared was the Forsaken. These wretches were bound with the Dark One. Kept alive by the Dark One's power, they have been imprisoned in Shayol Ghul since the War Of The Shadow. However, by examining prophesies written by those with the Sight, I have reason to believe that the seals on his prison may be weakening. Were this true, the Forsaken would be loosed upon the world, free to wreck havoc once more. "The Forsaken were not numerous, fourteen all told, but they were incredibly dangerous, evil and deadly. People like the beautiful Lanfear, who corrupted Arthur Hawkwing. Brutal Aginor and insidious Balthamel, fiends who resisted longest, and were two of the last bound into the seal on the Dark One's prison. And Beryl... Most adept of any of Forsaken at Travelling and crossing dimensions. Her knowledge was only eclipsed by her hatred, envy and rivalry of Lanfear. "If Beryl is free to attack your world, then already the seals on the Dark One's prison must be weakening. Tell no one but another Aes Sedai of what you have told me, for it shall sure bring panic and fear upon whomever heard it. Remember this well, Ami Mizuno, Sailor Mercury. Both your world and mine turn upon the Wheel Of Time, both are woven into the Pattern. Should this world fall to the Dark One, your world shall surely follow soon after." Ami was quiet for a time, lost in contemplation of the momentous things she had heard. Finally she looked up, fire and determination burning in her deep blue eyes. "And if we can stop the Dark One here, then we also stop him from attacking my world. I may not be able to fight beside my friends, but I can fight the same battles as them. If we fight the Dark One here and win, then surely he will lose on my world too. If I cannot rejoin the Senshi, then at least I can make sure they are safe!" "That is a good attitude, Ami. The fight against the Dark One is something that is of the greatest importance. The way before us to Tar Valon and the White Tower is long, with many days and nights of travel. Although your studies there are likely to take years, I may be able to speed you along with some tuition along the way." "That would be very nice, Moiraine Sedai, I'd like that. Perhaps I can teach you some things too. Technology in my world is much more advanced than here, and I was going to be a doctor. Although I don't know everything, I'm sure some of the things I learnt in books will be useful." Ami stated modestly. "Thank you for your offer, but with the ability to channel, I have little need of a common doctor, and less need to know how to poke and prod at a man. Soon you will find little of use for that sort of knowledge. The works of man and his efforts pale against the One Power, even in the Age Of Legends. Should your transformation give you access to all five forms of saidar, you may well become one of the most powerful Aes Sedai on record." Whatever Ami was going to say to that was lost to a knocking on the door. When Moiraine called permission, Lan pushed his head through. "Moiraine. You had best come. There is a crowd gathering out the front of the inn, and they're all asking for 'the Aes Sedai'." Moiraine shook her head, stood and straightened her cloak. "Fear and local ignorance are something else you may come to face as an Aes Sedai, Child. Although they need our help, many people fear the power that we possess. But for now, let us go and see what these people want. Stand between Lan and myself. We shall keep you safe." Walking behind Moiraine, still wearing her highly revealing and rather tight fitting Senshi uniform, Ami shook her head slightly. "Could you please call me Sailor Mercury?" Not sparing a backwards glance as she walked down the stairs with all the poise and confidence of a queen, the dark haired Aes Sedai shook her head. "The Aes Sedai of the White Tower will call you whatever they desire, Child. You must learn discipline as a Novice, and discipline comes from adversity and knowing your own true strength. Your name is Ami Mizuno. Accept that, and forget the title of 'Sailor Mercury'. I have never seen a sailor that dresses like that, and I would not expect to, even amongst the Sea Folk. Now, let us see what these good people are about." Walking outside, the three of them expected to confront a hostile mob. Instead, what they found was the whole village decked out in what must be their best clothes. As soon as the three came out, a ragged cheer went up, followed by a hubbub of conversations. Any Aes Sedai in contact with the One Power was gifted with enhanced senses, enabling to hear more sharply, with better range and definition than a normal person. Ami did not know this, all she knew was that as a Sailor Senshi she had better sight, hearing and other senses. Senses good enough to pick out some of what was being said, and enough to make her blush a brilliant red all the way to her hair line. "There she is, the one who saved the village..." "They say the Aes Sedai stop aging, and the strongest ones look even younger. She must be the most powerful in the whole world..." "She saved my daughter, and our house..." "I heard she killed five of them trollocs just by looking at them sideways! Even her touch is enough to turn a man to ice..." "You can tell she's the senior one. Not only was she stronger, see, she's the one that got the Warder next to her..." All around her, in a hundred different ways, Ami and Moiraine could hear the villagers talking of their victory yesterday and giving the bulk of the credit to Ami. As much as Moiraine hated to admit that an untrained girl could actually be stronger in the One Power than a fully trained Aes Sedai like herself, she did have to grant that Ami had accomplished significantly more with her ice yesterday than Moiraine's lightning. Not only that, but the ice remained rock hard even in the warmth of the morning sun, providing a none-too-subtle reminder of the girl's power. They were only standing there for a few moments when a large and slightly portly man came up to them. He joined them standing on the steps at the front of the Winespring Inn and raised his hands for silence from the gathered crowd. Giving a broad smile to the three guests standing beside him, the Mayor turned back to the now quiet people. "Friends, we've all heard stories about Aes Sedai. We've all heard how they can't be trusted and they don't care about the common people... Well, thanks to these fine ladies standing next to me, I think we've all learned something. I think we've learned that they do care, and can be trusted." Bran al'Vere looked around seriously, his eyes picking out individual members of the crowd as he spoke. "I don't think there is one person standing in front of me that was not saved last night by either Ami Sedai or Moiraine Sedai. Everywhere you look, there are the signs of how they beat back the forces of Darkness and did it at the risk of their own skin. "We're just small town folk. Simple farmers, sheep herders and tabac growers. The three people beside me did not come here seeking wealth and riches; the Light knows that none of us have that sort of thing. They came here because it needed doing. Well, it's time for our Bel Tine celebration, so I want you to make each of them welcome, because that needs doing, too. We might not be able to give them gold like rich city folk, but we can still offer them the best hospitality that we can." A ragged cheer went up. There were only a little over two hundred people gathered in the middle of the village, but for once all of them were in complete agreement, even the notoriously unpleasant and unsupportive Coplin and Congar families joined in the cheer. With the speed and efficiency that Ami, Moiraine and Lan had been able to act, they had managed to save a lot of these people from even having to fight. Farmers against trollocs will end up with a dead trolloc if there are enough farmers, but the variable in the equation was always just how many of those farmers would be dead or injured at the end of the match. With that, one of the men in the crowd wearing a strange and brightly patched cloak put a flute to his lips and began to blow a merry, sprightly tune. A few others in the village pulled out their instruments, a simple violin, guitar and a few recorders or clarinets. The brightly coloured man was by far the best player, putting in trills and setting a lively melody, but the rest of them kept tune to the villagers' clapping, and it was obvious that enthusiasm counted for more than talent. The tall Mayor, Bran al'Vere, made a leading gesture with his hand, ushering the three on the stairs towards the centre of the village where a large pole had been placed in the ground. "My ladies Aes Sedai, Warder Lan, if you'd like to come with me, we usually open our Bel Tine celebrations with the young unmarried women performing a dance for us. It might not be up to the standards of Tar Valon, but I can assure you that the apple brandy that we'll ply you with is the best the world around. Tam al'Thor brought it in yesterday for us. Since he's the man that you patched up so well, I'm sure he would be right grateful to know you were enjoying his hospitality." "That would be most appreciated, Master al'Vere. I have always heard that Two River's brandy is even better than their tabac, and your tabac is know as the best all the way to the Borderlands." "Why thank you, Mistress Moiraine, err, Moiraine Sedai. I'll be back with three glasses in no time. If you'll stand here, you can get a good view of the dance. We'll be having a feast later, too. Miriam and some of the ladies are already roasting a pig and a calf, so there will be plenty eat for everyone." "Just two glasses of the brandy, Master al'Vere." Sailor Mercury spoke softly. "If I might have some tea instead, please?" The big man smiled down at the girl. "Aye, a small lass like yourself probably can't be getting into the drink this early in the day. Don't worry, I'll make sure we save some so that you can enjoy it later." Before the young Senshi could point out that she did not drink alcohol at all, Moiraine thanked the man and leaned down to whisper quietly in her ear. "Child, perhaps that... dress... you wear is suitable in your world, but here, most people wear substantially more, particularly young ladies out in public. I will not even pretend to know why you are not freezing in this chill wind, but if you would change back into that other version, the one that is not so tight, with a longer skirt, it would be appreciated." Nodding her head, Ami concentrated, letting the Senshi transformation drop. Fortunately, she was not only wearing her school uniform, she was also now wearing the nice warm cloak that had been left in her room. Without the protection of the Senshi's magic, Ami did not think she would cope well in this weather either. Once they received their drinks from the Mayor, he left them to their conversation, allowing them to watch the dancing or mix with the people as they liked. "Ami, there are some people that I must speak to, and some things I must organise. What happened here last night was no coincidence. It is hundreds, more likely thousands of years since trollocs have been seen this far south. That means they were hunting for something, more likely _someone_. I have an idea who that is, but there are arrangements that must be made. Come back to the inn some time after midday. We shall speak more on it then." Taking Ami's acceptance for granted, Moiraine turned to her Warder. "Lan, this is not the end. We both know that what hit us last night was a hasty scramble. Be on the lookout for more trouble. There's at least one Fade still abroad this day, and with everyone celebrating, we will need all the warning we can get." The stern man simply nodded and walked through the crowd. It was unlikely he would see anything on his planned circuit of the village, but diligence and preparation often defused a surprise attack, as any soldier could tell you. With those last words, Moiraine also departed into the crowds, leaving Ami to watch the dancing, clapping, happy villagers. Walking around through the morning, Ami marvelled at the simplicity of the life the people led. In many ways, the Bel Tine celebration reminded her of the cultural days that she had participated in at school. Everyone would pitch in, doing their own part. Each person would contribute in some way, and eventually they would all have a chance to walk around, marvelling at what each other had done. There was dancing and singing. The man in the funny coat introduced himself as Thom Merrilin the gleeman. He was a travelling entertainer, and was shortly recounting the most amazing stories. Other people were preparing the roasts, cooking vegetables, dishing out drinks or showing off some craft displays. It was a simple life, showing Ami just how complex the modern world really was. By her estimate, it was likely less than one in five, perhaps one in ten or less of these people could read. Of that number, even fewer would own a book. There was no mechanisation, no automation or computerisation of work. The blacksmith in town - who was a marvel to watch as he made some small trinkets for children - simply beat on raw iron, purified only by the heat of his oven and the beating of his hammer. Food was salted or preserved in one way or another, because there was no refrigeration. The closest they came to that was some deep cellars that took advantage of both the winter freezing, and the nearby stream. The Winespring - for which the towns only inn and bar was named - was a fresh water reservoir, fuelled by the nearby hills and pooling into a natural pond. From what little she know of the land, this pond was probably the main expression of a saturated water table, which provided the good farmland. While all this was very interesting, the celebration did little to raise Ami's spirits. To all appearances, these people lived the same form of agrarian lifestyle that had existed across most of the world for all but the last few hundred years, and they were not even a part of a greater organisation. This was not a outpost of Rome, China or Egypt. It was not the civilised edge of a great nation of wealth or learning. This town stood alone. It was almost entirely self dependant - other than the peddler, who was almost as much a rarity as the Bel Tine celebration - and run by muscle power alone. The people who lived here were good, wholesome people, but they were farmers, dedicating their lives to living one day to the next. In an environment like this, it would be impossible to create Emperor Justinian's codified laws. It would be impossible to create sailing fleets like the British, French and Spanish had used to colonise large portions of the world. Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Sun Tzu or the monks that created great religious works like Shinto, Buddhism or Christianity in its many forms; these sorts of people needed a more advanced society to support their learning and advancement. Although she could tell that Moiraine Sedai's clothing was of a finer quality than the town's folk's, that was still not saying a great deal. The cloth - though fine - was obviously hand woven, the dying was simple, and it was all natural fibres. Moiraine's comments on 'the White Tower' suggested that it was part of some form of city, and cash crops like the Two River's tabac and the cotton needed for clothes suggested trade, but all of these things still came down to simple muscle power. In a world like this, where the strength of your arms and legs meant everything, there was only one course for someone small, weak, young and completely alone like Ami. She would need to learn to exploit this One Power the Aes Sedai used. Magic in her world was sorely limited, but here it was much stronger. If her guesses were correct, a powerful magic user like Moiraine would be the economic equivalent of tens, possibly hundreds of strong men. There was no way Ami could possibly live the life she had always expected and wanted, but unless she could master the arcane arts of the Aes Sedai, then there was no hope of anything remotely resembling her desired future. "You seem deep in thought, Ami Sedai." "What!?" Ami jumped around, coming face to face with a strange woman. Taller than Ami, and probably another fifteen years older - twice her age - the woman had an air of authority about her. "I'm sorry to startle you, Ami Sedai. I was planning on asking how you enjoyed our celebration. My name is Nynaeve al'Meara. I am the Wisdom of this village." Giving a bow, Ami blushed. She was not used to such strong tones of respect from adults. "Please to meet you, Mistress al'Meara. My name is Ami Mizuno, but you can call me Ami if you like. I'm not actually an Aes Sedai, so I don't think I should be taking Moiraine Sedai's title." "Oh really?" Nynaeve gave a sharp tug on the thick braid that was hanging over her left shoulder. "Moiraine never corrected me on that. We had all just assumed that you were, since you could channel. I did not know any women other than Aes Sedai could channel." "You're probably right, Mistress al'Meara. I'm not actually from here. Where I come from, there are only the five of us that can... channel, as you call it." "Ahh. That is very interesting. But still, I think I should call you Mistress Mizuno, if you are calling me Mistress al'Meara. Any woman that can channel deserves respect. How did you come to be in our village? Were you searching with Moiraine Sedai?" "No. I was searching for someone else, and I guess you could say I got lost. I had initially being going to going after him with four friends of mine. The man we were looking for was Usagi-chan's boyfriend and he had been captured by a servant of..." Ami remembered Moiraine's warning on naming the Dark One and changed what she was going to say. "... Of the Dark One. We were going to get him back." "Five of you? Five of young girls like you were going to face down of the Dark One's minions in its own home? That is rather bold, even for five Aes Sedai. But then, considering how you handled those trollocs last night, I imagine you could handle one more." "Oh no, it wasn't a trolloc we were after. I think Moiraine Sedai said that you called them 'Forsaken'... Is there something wrong, Mistress al'Meara?" Nynaeve gave her braid a few more swift tugs and frowned ferociously. When she spoke, it was with great irritation in her voice. "It is not polite to make fun of your elders, Ami Mizuno, even if you can channel. Everyone knows that the Forsaken are bound in Shayol Ghul for all eternity. I will thank you not to start stories like that, even in jest." "Oh, no, she's not in Shayol Ghul, at least she's not imprisoned at quite the same level as the Dark One. Beryl was still working to get the Dark One free. That was why she was sending her Generals and their trollocs - we called them Youma - to attack us." For several long moments, Nynaeve looked at Ami, studying the guileless expression on her face. Apparently the scrutiny was too much for Ami to bear, because she blushed and looked away. "I'm sorry, Mistress al'Meara. Did I say something wrong?" The youthful Wisdom made a choking sound. "You're saying one of the Forsaken is free and you ask if you said something wrong?" "Well, yes..." For a moment the Wisdom looked like she was about to reach out and grab one of Ami's ears to drag the girl with her; that was usually how she got obedience from people when she wanted them to go somewhere. A moment's hesitation was enough to remind her that while Ami looked like an ordinary child - even if her hair was cut ridiculously short - the girl was still an channeller. No one took an Aes Sedai for granted, and even if the girl did not want that title, she still deserved the respect due the position. The same respect one would grant a snake or a large bear. "Come with me, Child... I mean, Mistress Mizuno. I think we had better speak to Moiraine Sedai right this instant and get to the bottom of this." Ami smiled. "That's a good idea. She had asked me to come back to the inn around this time, but she hadn't told me why. Perhaps we can both talk to her at that same time. And you can call me 'Ami' if you like, Mistress al'Meara. It feel strange having a grown adult being so respectful." Well, that proved the girl was no Aes Sedai. All the stories Nynaeve had heard portrayed the women as strong, domineering and proud to the point of conceited. If Ami was willing to forgo even some measure of respect, she either came from somewhere vastly different, or she was possibly as young as she looked. "Yes, let's go talk to Moiraine Sedai. The reason I came to see you was the fact that she had invited me to the inn for a meeting, but refused to tell me what for. I had hoped that you might know something, but now I am beginning to wish that were not the case." Ami and the Wisdom walked off silently to the inn, dodging through what Edmond's Fielders considered a packed square, Ami on the other hand thought it was less crowded that a typical afternoon street. When they arrived, there were a number of people crowded into the common room, and from the way that Moiraine stared at them, they may well be the last to join the meeting. "Now that everyone is here, I shall do a round of introductions. Most of you know each other slightly, but this will simplify things in the coming discussion. I am Moiraine Sedai. I am an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah. This is my Warder, Lan. We came to this village from Tar Valon because I believed that there was someone here that I was seeking. Judging from the trolloc attack last night, I was not the only one to believe that. "To my right is Ami Mizuno. Where she comes from they do not call themselves 'Aes Sedai', but her title is Sailor Mercury. She too is a channeller that has dedicated her life to the defeat of the Dark One. She is here because she was on a quest to find and fight a servant of the Dark One. "Just a moment, Wisdom, before you interrupt. As most of you know, Nynaeve is Two River's Wisdom. She and the other ladies present will represent the Women's Circle in what we are about to discuss. Naturally, Bran al'Vere is here since he is the Mayor. "The man Lan carried down earlier is Tam al'Thor. Beside him is his son Rand. Master al'Thor, could you tell us briefly what happened to you last night?" The man covered in blankets looked pale and drawn still, but much better than when he was brought in that morning. His voice was soft and strained with effort. "Trollocs... Trollocs attacked our farm last night when we got home. I can't remember too much after they came through the door and the windows, but from what Rand says, we got away and he brought me here." "Thank you. Abell Cauthon, and his son Matrim. You're house is in the centre of the village, is that not correct?" "Yes." "Interesting that, is it not? For it was in and around your house that Lan and myself spent most of our time. I can remember quite clearly seeing Lan killing more than one trolloc as it tried to climb into a window. I find it interesting that they bypassed other houses closer to the forest and fields. Moving on we have Haral Luhhan, who is on the village council and is the blacksmith. I've asked you along since young Perrin Aybara's parents are off tending their farm. I believe it was attacked last night while the three of you were here for Winternight. Master Luhhan, would you be kind enough to tell me about your smithy?" "Aye, I'll tell you I'll not be doing any work for a time yet at the main fire and anvil." Master Luhhan was a massive man, with limbs like tree trunks, grown strong from the heavy daily labour of swinging the massive forge hammers. Beside him, even Perrin looked small, and Perrin was the largest boy in the village. "The young Aes Sedai lass there did coat it in ice like it was a branch frozen into a pond. I'll not be doing any serious work till that thaws away." "She froze it completely? Isn't that a touch extreme?" "Well, if it was just one trolloc, maybe, but I'd not be complaining anyway. The first beast in set it alight, so I'd be thanking her for that alone. But it were not just the one. Fully thirty or more must be frozen in there, like some sort of horrid picture. Comes time that the house thaws, I'll be spending a full day just hauling their bodies away." Stepping forwards, Moiraine pointed to each of the three boys in the room. Tall Rand, broad Perrin and nervous Matt. "I came here seeking someone. I'm not sure exactly who, but I know roughly what age they would be from certain documents. Yesterday when I was speaking to people, I find that these three boys are each born within a week of the others. Yesterday the Dark One sent his minions, and they attacked precisely the three homes of these boys." When Moiraine paused, Haral Luhhan spoke up. "And what have I to do with it? I've no children at all, but it sure looked as though those trollocs were seeking me out. Were it not for the lass, Sailor Mercury, Alsbet and I would be rebuilding from ashes." "Perrin is your apprentice. Anyone who knew his age would know that also. They would also know that unless he was at his parents farm, he would be at your smithy. Any day of the year aside from Winternight, the trollocs would have been right, and caught Perrin and Rand at their farms. Unless Ami and myself were here, they would have had a clear path to Matrim also. I will say this once, for I cannot explain all of the details at this time: "The Dark One is searching for something. He believes that one of you three boys is the person he is looking for. I am an Aes Sedai, and anything the Dark One wants, I want to prevent. There have not been trollocs south of the Boarder Lands since the Breaking. Even during the Aiel Wars they were kept confined by the strength of our soldiers. Whatever the Dark One wants, he wants it very badly. Enough to mount a massive effort to move and hide that many trollocs. The Dark One is not easily thwarted, and what he has accomplished once, he can do again. My only option is take these boys to Tar Valon where they can be protected by the full strength of the White Tower." There was silence in the room as the shocked villagers tried to comprehend what was being said. To most of them, the Dark One and trollocs were nothing more than stories to scare children; figments of the imagination. Seeing trollocs appear last night was only slightly more of a shock than seeing a pair of Aes Sedai and a Warder. To hear that the Dark One himself was taking a direct hand in pursuing members of their village was almost too much to cope with. Certainly all of them wanted to object and hide from the truth, but the evidence presented was hard to ignore. It was Nynaeve, the small, pretty Wisdom that spoke first into the echoing silence. "They are some frightening and terrible allegations, Moiraine Sedai, and I fully intend to press you further on them, but first I want to know where Ami Mizuno fits into it. Before we came her I was speaking to her, and she said some most disturbing things." "She too is someone that fights the Dark One, as do I. She was here only by fortune. Our good fortune and the Dark One's bad." "She said the Forsaken are loose upon the world." That caused a hubbub, and Ami eventually had to speak quite loudly, almost yelling, to make herself heard. "I didn't say that, Mistress al'Meara. I said that Beryl was sending her Generals to attack us. I don't think Beryl has ever come out of the Dark Kingdom." "Her Generals? Who are they?" "There was Jadeite, Nephlyte, Malacite, and Zoicite. They were all very strong." Looming over the young girl, Nynaeve continued her aggressive questioning, forcing Ami to retreat a step. "I suppose they were strange, eyeless men, were they? Always garbed in black, and able to freeze you in fear with a single glance?" "Why, no. Nothing like that at all." The room sighed a collective breath. Whatever they were, these 'Generals' were not Fades, the dreaded Myrddraal servants, horror stories of children. "Unlike the trollocs they sent, the Generals were normal men. They could just use magic... Err, you would call it channelling, I guess..." That caused the room to quiet instantly. Male channellers were the ultimate fear in this day and age. Since the Dark One had placed the taint on the male half of the One Power all male channellers had been driven insane when the used it. Just last night the peddler had brought news of a male channeller in Ghealdan. A lunatic who had raised the Dragon standard and called himself the Dragon Reborn. Now this young woman was saying that there were four more of them about, and in the service of the Dark One. Now Moiraine rounded on Ami, standing beside Nynaeve. "You never said anything about Dreadlords. How could you even think of concealing this?" "D-Dreadlords? I've never even heard of them." "Dreadlords were channellers that worked for the Dark One. The Forsaken were the greatest and most evil of the Dreadloads, but all those that could channel were deadly, terrible and dangerous. How could you even think of not mentioning it." Seeing the way that Ami was about to burst into tears, the Wisdom backed off and turned on Moiraine. "Be gentle with her, Moiraine Sedai. Can't you see she's frightened of you? Besides, maybe the Seafolk do things differently. Maybe she didn't know about 'Dreadlords'. Certainly, I had never heard of them." "She's not a Seafolk. Dreadlords are even more dangerous than a madman calling himself the Dragon Reborn. If the Forsaken are able to send their servants out to attack, there is less time than I first believed. We must get these boys to the safety of Tar Valon as soon as we can." Nynaeve threw up her hands in despair. "Will you stay on one topic long enough to sort things out?! We might be simple country folk, but there is no need to try and force things on us. Now... Back to you, girl. Moiraine Sedai says you are not one of the Seafolk, but you were called Sailor Mercury earlier. Can you explain that? I have a hard enough time accepting the Aes Sedai's stories of the Dark One hunting our boys, and yours is just as hard to explain. Are you from Tremalking, perhaps? An islander? Come, Master al'Vere has a map over here You can show us all where you come from." Very quietly and with a slight trembling in her voice, Ami spoke. "It won't be on that map, Mistress al'Meara. I come from another dimension." "What? I don't understand. Make sense girl. Do you mean you come from across the sea? Out west past Tremalking?" "No it's... it's very hard to explain. Moiraine Sedai, can you help? I don't think I can explain parallel dimensions to someone of this era..." From there, the intense discussions continued for most of the afternoon. Neither Moiraine nor Ami could provide a suitable explanation as to where she came from, other than saying it was "another world", in some vague fashion. While there was strong doubt cast on what she had said regarding the Generals and their quest to steal energy to free the Dark One, the vast multitude of little differences was enough to awe them. The quality of the fabric and stitching in her machine made clothes. The plastics used to make the soles of her shoes. The zipper on her skirt. Her alien Japanese language that sounded so different from anything they had ever heard. Many small details, each hard to accommodate into their current world view and adding credence to the story of her origin. The decision of whether to allow the boys to go with Moiraine and Lan was something that took substantially more conversation. While Matt was eager to go, Perrin wanted to stay behind, and of all the adults, only Rand's father Tam was readily accepting of the idea. Oddly, it was Ami's assertion that helped to convince the villagers. In her experience, the Generals and Youma never struck the same place or person twice. Transiting the dimensional barrier was hideously expensive for them, so they could ill afford to take the risk of picking overly hard targets or becoming predicable. While the villagers and Moiraine all disagreed with that idea - trollocs here did not have a reputation for either intelligence, deviousness or flexibility - the fact that she argued against the Aes Sedai worked to unite the parents of the boys as they banded together to overcome the girl's arguments. So it was in the early hours of the evening that permission was finally given for the three boys to go with Moiraine, Lan and Ami to the White Tower. They would not be allowed to go alone, however. Initially Tam had wanted to go as a protector and chaperon, since he had the most experience outside the village, but that was eventually vetoed due to his incapacitation and the need for speed. When Nynaeve offered to take the role she too was rejected. Eventually she bullied the others into accepting, but it was not without a lot of shouting, name calling and the occasional threat with the staff she carried. She was the Wisdom, she was independent, and had quite a sufficient distrust of the Aes Sedai to prevent her from getting away with anything. Once acquiescence had been reached - for it could not really be called agreement - Lan explained what they needed, and even provided money to pay for it. They needed the five best horses in the village. The had to be sturdy and fleet of hoof, not the normal farm horses that were comfortable to pull a plough all day. They also needed supplies. Provisions for just a few days would be sufficient, since they could get more along the way and that way they would not spoil. They would also need to get the usual travel and camping paraphernalia that a party of four would need. Naturally, Moiraine and Lan had their own, and of a higher quality than what would be available here. Finally, once all of that had been sorted out and everyone was getting ready to fetch their contributions for the immediate departure, Moiraine raised her hand and stilled the incipient movement. "There is one last thing." She intoned with foreboding. "The servants of the Dark One knew about these boys. They knew their ages, and they knew their names. That means this village is under observation, and that quite possibly the agents of the Dark One will be back looking for the boys. "They will not return in force if the boys are not here; that would be too much effort for no real gain. I had initially intended to try and sneak the boys out under cover of night, hoping that whoever was observing the village would not realise that I had taken them. That option is no longer available to me, as signs of Aes Sedai handiwork will remain here for some time. This means there is both no ability to be secret, and no need to try for secrecy. "When we leave, there is no need to make any secret of the fact that we are off for Tar Valon. Even the dullest of trollocs would be able to realise that this is the only place an Aes Sedai could take these boys for real protection. For the sake of yourselves and your fellow villagers, do not try to conceal that. You will gain nothing if you hide it and end by drawing another attack upon yourselves. "While the trollocs will know where we are headed, they will not know our route. That in turn is our greatest defence. We will move swiftly, and I assure you that I shall do everything in my power to ensure these boys do not fall into the hands of the Dark One." * * * The boys and their parents moved off to get together their own gear while Lan, Moiraine, Ami and Bran al'Vere went to the stables to begin picking out horses. The village did not have many good horses, but Bran willingly sold the horses of other people to the Aes Sedai. The price she was offering was more than fair, and all the villagers knew he could be trusted to hand over the full value of the sale without skimming. When Bran pointed out a speckled coloured mare and said how good it would be for Ami, the girl blanched. "You... You wouldn't happen to have something a little smaller, would you?" "What are you talking about lass? Sissy is small, and she's got to be the quietest horse I've ever seen." Sissy whickered at the sound of her name, causing Ami to back up when she saw the horse's teeth. "Isn't there any other way? Do we have to ride horses?" "What are you talking about? Tar Valon is too far to walk, and not even Aes Sedai travel like queens in a carriage. How else to you expect to get there?" Bran was incredulous. Moiraine had a better grasp on the situation. She was not sure what Ami's world was like, but Moiraine was familiar with people in big cities like Caemlyn and Tar Valon that lived their whole life in the city, never riding a horse. "Ami, do you mean to tell us you have never ridden a horse?" "Never ridden one? I've never even seen one before, Moiraine Sedai. I lived in a city my whole life. For that matter, I'd never even been outside Japan until I came here. The biggest animal I ever saw was a dog." Everyone in the stable stared at her. "How is that possible, girl?" Lan asked. "Even in the biggest city people still need horses to get around. They need cattle and sheep for food. Even a mule is larger than a dog, and I have yet to see a grocer that could get by without mules to bring his stock to market." "We have cars and trucks... They're sort of like carriages, but they don't need horses to pull them. They move themselves. It's rather complicated to explain, but if you want, I could go through the principles of the internal combustion engine." Moiraine looked at Ami for several long moments. What she spoke of sounded like something out of the Age Of Legends, but the girl had already said that there was no real channelling in her world. Without saidar and saidin, the female and male halves of the One Power, how could you power one of these miraculous vehicles? "No. Time is short enough as it is. We shall simply have to travel slowly for the time being, until you learn how to ride. It is not what I would have desired, but I would be loath to allow the Dark One to get his hands on you now either." As the last of the animals was being saddled, Thom Merrilin the dexterous gleeman walked into the stables and began nonchalantly saddling his horse. He was half way through when Lan walked over and stood right next to him. "What are you planning, Gleeman?" "My time here is done, Master Warder. I'm to be heading off." Ami, none to happy about having to ride a horse late at night which was what Moiraine and Lan seemed to have planned, decided to enter the conversation. Maybe she could convince everyone to stay overnight. "Weren't you going to be playing tonight? Perhaps we could stay and listen to your last performance?" "Actually, Ami Sedai, I offered to do without payment this once, in exchange for cutting short the visit. There are trollocs afield, and I have no love of returning by my lonesome. Since we'd be going the same route, I had hoped for safety in numbers." Lan started to reach for the gleeman to physically restrain him from further saddling the horse, but Moiraine's comment turned everyone's head. "Leave him be, Lan. It is a part of the Pattern now, and time is getting away from us. If we are to arrive in Taren's Ferry before dawn, we should be off as soon as we can. Come, Ami, I shall show you how to mount a horse. The boys should be here in a moment, and I intend to be leaving as soon as they do." Her first few times trying to get onto a horse was more of a comedy act than a serious effort. In all likelihood, Thom would be enchanting crowds with stories of how she fell time and again, or how she managed even to make the most tranquil horse in a village of calm animals into a skittish, nervous wreck. If it were not for Lan standing beside her and catching her several times before she could hit the ground, Ami would have given up and offered to walk instead. She was not a clumsy girl by nature, but the horse just did not seem natural to her city-bred instincts; no matter how contradictory that seemed. Transport was supposed to sit there, immobile and inactive until put into motion by a driver. It was not supposed to have a mind of its own, it should not move and lurch as you get on, and it definitely should not look at you with large, accusing eyes while bearing those large teeth. She knew that horses were vegetarians... But she sometimes wondered if this horse knew that. Eventually Ami was sitting on the horse. She was not comfortable, she was not relaxed, and she certainly was not impressed with the "beauty, speed and strength" of the animals. Nonetheless, she was not sliding off to one side, and everyone considered that a sufficient accomplishment for the moment. "Lan, we will set out at a slow walk initially. I will stay beside Ami for a time. Perrin, you seem like a reliable lad. For the time being you will take lead. Just follow the road to Taren's Ferry. We will not be going fast, so please restrain yourself." Everyone accepted and moved off at a pace no better than a walking man could have made. After twenty minutes of this, Ami's bottom was sore and felt like it would be bruised for a month, but she almost could believe that she could stay on. After an hour, as her legs were beginning to tire from holding on, Lan reigned in beside Moiraine just as a beeping sound came from the Mercury computer. Lan, Moiraine and Nynaeve turned to look at her, surprised by the odd sound. Rifling through her pockets under the cloak, Ami fished out her computer and looked down at the screen. "I'm picking up Dark Kingdom energy. This only has about a hundred meters range, so they are close." "A rider approaches." Lan said, unsheathing his sword. He could not identify the person in the darkness of the night since everyone tended to wear shape concealing cloaks at this time of year. As he turned his horse and readied himself, the dark shape finally came into view, lit only by the light of the moon. "A rider..." Ami begun, staring at the display on the computer. "That can't be right... The signal I'm getting is right... There!" Lan kept his eyes on the rider that was approaching at a brisk trot, but everyone else looked up where Ami pointed. It was up, above the trees, and slightly to the left of the route their party had taken. Slowly out of the darkness a shape began to form. Around the size of a man, it had large, bat-like wings, but no bat had ever lived that was this size, nor exuded such a palpable aura of evil. "Draghkar! Lan, forget the rider! We'll have to get moving. Ami, just hold on tight. Your horse will run with the rest of ours." Suiting deeds to words, Moiraine spurred her horse forwards, with Lan and the other immediately pushing theirs into a gallop. None aside from Moiraine and Lan were sure what a Draghkar was, but if it was enough to frighten the Aes Sedai, that was enough for them. As they started their dash into the darkness, there came a call from the rider behind them. Ami did not give the feminine voice any thought since she was having too much difficulty just staying on the charging animal, but the folk from Edmond's Field evidently recognised it. Moments later Rand, the red-headed boy that towered over Ami, turned his horse back to meet with the rider and bring her into their fold. Through the streaming darkness the girl and Moiraine held a shouted conversation, each working to be heard over the sound of the horses' hooves. Both Lan and Rand would occasionally add something, but given the way that Moiraine eventually nodded and quieted Lan, it was evident that the Aes Sedai called the shots, and the girl would be allowed to continue on with them. The Wisdom was probably the least happy with the decision, wishing the girl to return, but there was little she could do, and it was too dangerous now for the girl to return with the Draghkar above. An eternity passed in a mind numbing blur of pain until Moiraine brought her horse alongside the school girl, but Ami's watch assured her it had only been a few hours since they left the village. The pain in her bottom was gone now, her poor posterior pounded into numbness by the constant bouncing on the hard saddle; now the pain had migrated up into her spine, shaken by the same bouncing. The fire in her muscles - arms, hands, calves, thighs - competed with the agony of her inner thighs as the chafed flesh constantly rubbed against the leather saddle. "Do they have Draghkar in your world?" "N-No." She tried to say as little as possible; Ami was sure she was about to bite her tongue. "They are spies for the Dark One. Deadly up close, they can rip a man's soul straight from his body. Surely it is tracking us, for Lan has spotted it several times since we began our flight. By now it is sure there is only one destination for us as we follow the North Road: Taren's Ferry. But from there, we have a choice. We can either go up river, or we can go across the river, then go up country. Along river would be faster, but once on a boat, we would be effectively trapped for the Dark One to find again." Much to Ami's chagrin, Moiraine did not seem to find the gallop demanding at all. "Myrddraal are cunning creatures, but we can use that against them. I intend to cover us in fog, blanketing the Taren for some distance upstream. When the Draghkar reports, the Myddraal is likely to believe we have gone on by boat, where instead we shall cross and rest for the night in a place Lan and I prepared before coming here. Even if the Myrddraal does not believe that is our intention, it will be forced to tie up whatever forces it has searching, just in case we do take a boat." Ami may have nodded, but it could have just been the motion of her head caused by the horse. "Channelling from horseback is not an easy feat, but you have a strong affinity for water. Do you think you would be able to assist me? The more the burden is shared, the easier it will be." "I... I'll try, Moiraine Sedai..." Ami released a hand from the reins, took out her Henshin stick and almost lost her balance and fell off before she could transform. Steadying herself again, Ami tried once more, raising the stick to the starlit sky only to drop her hands to frantically grab at the saddle's pommel to stop herself from falling to the ground. 'Why did it have to be horses? Couldn't they have just taken a bus?' Ami wished to herself regretfully. A third try yielded no better results, and as Ami's struggles to right herself almost caused the horse to stumble and lame itself, Moiraine sighed and shook her head. "Perhaps it is too soon for you to do this. Do not concern yourself further. At this time I shall simply be glad if you manage to arrive in Taren's Ferry with the rest of us." Ami felt a brief surge of shame at her failure, but it was quickly overwhelmed by the tidal wave of gratitude. Anything that allowed her to concentrate fully on staying atop this horrid animal must be good. Beside her, riding along like she was glued to the saddle or simply part of the horse, Moiraine clenched her angreal figurine in one hand and focused the One Power through it. Immediately a light fog gathered around the town of Taren's Ferry, then began spreading. Initially it spread in all directions, but once it had covered the river, the growth changed, elongating to cover the river and its banks for kilometres downstream. Simultaneously to the spread of the fog, it thickened, until a man would be lucky to be able to see his hand when held out in front of him. As the fog closed in over them most of the party looked around searching the sky for signs of the Draghkar, While it would no more be able to see them through the fog than they could see it, the folk of Edmond's Field viewed the works of Aes Sedai with only marginally less fear than the works of the Dark One, despite the way that the same magic saved them for two nights in a row. Finally the lights of the fog wrapped town came into view and Moiraine brought her horse to a stop. Lan stopped beside her on Mandarb, the horses perfectly synchronised, as though both animals and riders were puppets controlled by the same strings. Most of the others managed to stop also, but Rand's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Egwene, the girl that had joined their frantic flight through the night. Just as Rand was slowing his horse, he noticed another beside him, slowing also to keep pace with him. 'It's the other Aes Sedai with us', he thought. 'The one that can't ride.' Not only did the girl seem unable to ride properly, she also seemed completely oblivious to her surroundings. Her eyes were fixed straight ahead, and her knuckles were bone white where they clenched tightly to their handholds; one on the reins, the other on the saddle's pommel. "Hey! Err... Ami Sedai? Can you hear me?" Rand brought his horse to a halt, and the reliable (but not overly bright) Sissy also stopped when Rand leaned close and spoke its name. Turning back, Rand saw that the others were off their horses and leading them as they prepared to enter Taren's Ferry. For now, stealth rather than speed was the key, and a legion of horsemen charging through a town at this time of night would be remembered without fail. "Ami Sedai? You can get down now. We've reached Taren's Ferry." Smoothly descending from his own horse's back, Ranma walked over to beside the channeller's horse. Remembering how much trouble she had when getting on, he held up a hand to her. "Just take my hand and you'll be down in a moment, Ami Sedai." "Down?" Ami said faintly, while giving him an odd, unblinking stare. When he nodded, Ami's eyes rolled up into her head, and she slid bonelessly off the horse, dropping limply into Rand's arms like a sack of potatoes. "Ah! H-Help!" Looking around frantically, Rand wanted to call out for Moiraine, but in the still silence of the night, he knew that they could not afford him to be shouting names that everyone could hear. He kept his voice down, but Lan still glared at him when he arrived. "What is it, Sheepherder?" "She just collapsed. One moment she was sitting astride, the next she just fell on me." As Rand frantically explained, Moiraine leaned down and gave the girl a quick examination. She was obviously exhausted and in terribly poor physical shape. Not underfed or ill, simply out of shape. Cursing herself for not seeing this earlier, Moiraine reminded herself that Ami had said she was from a city. She was probably like most nobles or the Brown sisters who stayed inside, rarely doing anything more physical than a short walk. Riding a horse like that was taxing enough for strong youths like Rand, Perrin or Matt. For a soft city girl... "Hey!" Perrin called. "There's blood on her saddle." That caused a sharp intake of breath. If the girl had been injured during their ride, it could make things even harder from here on. Nynaeve kneeled down beside Moiraine and Ami, then rotated the boy's head. "Rand, look away for a moment." Rand blinked a couple of times, then blushed deeply when he realised what Moiraine intended. Now that knew what to look for, Rand could see dark patches on the girl's skirt, and Moiraine obviously intended to find out the cause. The middle of the street was not the best place for this, but it was late, covered in fog and they were surrounded by the blocking bodies of their companions; Ami's modesty would be preserved. It only took Moiraine a moment, and again she cursed her own assumptions and the need for speed. "Saddle sores. The girl rode all night in that skirt, and she has chafed the inside of her legs until they were so raw they bled." Moiraine's quiet voice held new respect for the girl. Few people she knew - even the toughest of men - would sit through such a torture without raising complaint. "We can't treat her here or now. She'll just have to wait as little longer." "What do you mean we can't treat her here? I've been to Taren's Ferry before, and there's an inn not two blocks from here. Give me a few minutes and I can make a poultice from the herbs I've got in my saddle bag." "Wisdom, we cannot afford either the time of staying here overnight, nor the recognition of the innkeeper. I shall heal her as soon as I can, but for now she must wait." Standing up, Moiraine surveyed the party until pointing a finger at Perrin. "You'll carry her. Surely a big lad like you can carry a small girl for a while. Rand, lead her horse. Come, we've lost enough time as it is." Mutely, the boys complied, stunned by how callous she could be. To Perrin - the blacksmith's apprentice - carrying Ami was next to no effort. He was used to hefting the massive hammer Master Luhhan used. Compared to the small girl he held in his hands, he must have been twice the size at least, and every extra kilo would have been muscle, earned the only way such strength can be: hard work. Nevertheless, by the time the Aes Sedai had organised a ferry and they were safely on board, Perrin's arms were beginning to seriously tire and he was glad for a chance to rest. The trip across the river seemed all to short a respite. That is, until they reached the other side and Moiraine Sedai "paid" the ferrymen. First she paid the ferry's master, then she had the men line up and receive a silver piece each as a bonus for carrying them through the river at night. Only then did the Aes Sedai swing into action. There was nothing to show that it was her, but the Taren had never been known for spontaneous whirlpools, and one the size that had been needed to sink the ferry could only have been due to the channelling of Saidar. Nynaeve, Perrin, Rand and Matt were all aghast, even when Moiraine calmly offered up enough gold to compensate the ferry's master. As they headed north and away from the river, Lan calmly explained to the boys that this was the only way that they could stop the ferry man from talking, and it also denied the trollocs following a convenient means of crossing the river. Despite all of the good intentions and the coldly logical reasoning behind it, all the Edmond's Field folk were looking at their Aes Sedai saviours with new eyes. Perhaps it was all for the best that Ami was still unconscious; of all the people there she was the one most infected with the idealism of youth. Moiraine and Lan were mature, and each was a hardened warrior in different ways. Thom Merrilin the gleeman was as worldly wise as it is possible to be, having travelled the continent from one end to the other and having seen lords do far worse simply under the title of "expedience". The boys and Egwene were all of the same age at twenty two. Not old by any stretch, but certainly mature enough to have had the most naive impulses removed from the bodies. Ami was different. She was fourteen, raised in a land that was luxurious and pampered, where girls were taught that being altruistic and a bit immature was cute. The young girl propped in from of Perrin in his saddle was also one of the Sailor Senshi. They fought for concepts like "love" and "justice". Ami modelled her ethics on her leader Usagi, possibly the kindest and most forgiving person in the entire universe. Words like "expedient" never entered the Senshi's vocabulary, and she would have felt compelled to fight Moiraine to save the ferry men the fear and inconvenience that the temporary loss of their livelihood would have cost. However, the point was moot, for the girl was unconscious, and would remain so until early the next day when she awoke feeling almost completely better. Shortly after they had left sight of the river Lan had led them through the bushes to a concealed cave that was stocked with supplies. While the boys tended the horses, Lan scouted and Egwene laid out their bedding, Moiraine laid her hands on the young Senshi under Nynaeve's hawk-eyed supervision. Weaving the One Power for healing, Moiraine knitted worn and abraded flesh back together and revitalised the girl. She did not attempt to wake Ami, but let her sleep, knowing that while she would still be sore in places tomorrow, the girl would once again be able to ride. Exhausted from their ride, everyone sought sleep quickly, but Moiraine would only allow Egwene to sleep once they had spent some time together. Egwene, Moiraine explained, was one of the rare, gifted girls that would learn to channel naturally. Whatever had caused it, Egwene's riding with them had been woven into the Pattern, and Moiraine intended to take full advantage of that by beginning her education as an Aes Sedai. * * * When morning came and the sun stretched it weak, winter-strength rays into the cave that housed them, Ami awoke feeling disoriented. The last thing she could clearly remember was riding along at full gallop, trying to escape the strange flying creature that Moiraine had called the Draghkar. Sitting up, she rubbed sleep from her eyes and looked around. "Good morning, Girl. Have a drink and something to eat. I'll be waking the rest of them soon enough." Lan's voice was gruff but gentle. Taking the water skin, her first sip was tentative but it quickly changed into a deep draft as she realised just how thirsty she was. When she finally lowered the water skin, she looked with trepidation at the large piece of meat that had been placed on the treated leather carry bag. "Master Lan? What is this? And err..." How could she ask this delicately? Perhaps there was no delicate way. "How old is it?" "Rabbit. We cooked it last night while you were asleep." Sighing in relief, Ami picked up a small knife and began to cut into the rabbit. This was her first meal while travelling, and she did not think they would have anything like dehydrated rations, refrigeration, or even anti-bacterial preservatives. Swallowing the slightly greasy meat, she licked her lips. It was very nice, and this much meat would cost a small fortune in Japan. "Where are we? I don't remember much of the ride." Lan nodded. "You fell unconscious as soon as we reached Taren's Ferry. From what Moiraine and the Wisdom tell me, you were lucky to have stayed with us as long as you did." "Oh, I... I can't quite remember getting there." She surreptitiously touched her inner thigh, bracing herself for expected pain. The pain, however, did not come. Her legs felt as good as new, or at least as good as they ever did after a heavy session of Physical Education at school. "Hey! My legs are all better! I'm sure that I had chaffed them terribly when we were riding." "You can thank Moiraine Sedai for that when she wakes. You were bleeding when we stopped, so she healed you when we brought you here. Take a look in that bag beside you. You should find something that fits. Moiraine is only a little taller, and it would be better that you share some of her riding clothes than have to get by with just a skirt." Nodding gratefully, Ami pushed another piece of cold roast rabbit into her mouth and opened the saddle bag. Several of the items in there felt like silk, and she would have loved to see Moiraine wearing them, sure that the dark haired woman would have looked like a princess straight out of a shoujo manga. Rifling around some more, she eventually dug up a long split skirt. The hem would touch the floor since Ami was a few centimetres shorted than Moiraine, but it would not drag too much, as the Aes Sedai was short by the standard of this land. "Put that on, and finish your breakfast. I'll wake the others. We'll need to take it easy to rest the horses today, so you should be all right." With that, Lan turned away, and Ami pulled on the skirt she had selected. Like Moiraine's cloak, it was a pale grey, and felt like it was made from cotton. It was split down the middle, front to back, so that the wearer could comfortably sit astride a horse. Standing up, she undid her own skirt, then finished fastening the new one with the belt provided. By this time the others were beginning to wake, and Ami looked around, taking stock of the group she travelled with. Settling on an unexpected face, Ami walked over to where Egwene was beginning to brush out her long hair. "Good morning, Mistress al'Vere. I didn't think you were coming with us. We you the rider that we spotted last night?" Egwene nodded, then winced as she pulled out a knot in her hair. "Yes. A soon as I finally caught up with you, everyone started galloping off. I felt very unwanted." She finished with a laugh. "Well, I will be happy to have another girl along. With just Mistress al'Meara, Moiraine Sedai and myself, I was feeling outnumbered by the boys." Giggling, Egwene shook her head. "I don't think Moiraine Sedai would be outnumbered amongst a whole army of men. She's an Aes Sedai, so she has nothing to fear. Of course, you are too, so I imagine you don't have anything to worry about either." "No, not really. You have to remember how strange all of this is to me. Where I come from, things are completely different." "That's right. You said you lived in a city." She sighed. "I can't wait to see a real city. I've lived in Edmond's Field all my life, and I've never seen what it can be like. Don't worry, travelling is the same as living at home, you just need to carry more with you." Ami let out a small laugh at that. "I guess it depends on what you are used to. Where I come from, things are very different. No one there can channel like Moiraine Sedia, so we are much more advanced in other areas. For the map in your father's in, we could probably travel to Tar Valon in a single day. I've never had much need to go travelling." "From Edmond's Field to Tar Valon in one day? Is that possible?" "Oh, it's possible to go much further than that, it all depends what you are willing to spend. For instance, I was hoping to go to medical school in Germany one day. I'd already applied for a scholarship. It would take you months to be able to ride there, and you'd have to take a ship to cross the Sea Of Japan also. On the other hand, if I caught an aeroplane, that could fly the distance in probably ten or twelve hours." "Flying?..." Egwene was too stunned to speak. These things that Ami spoke of so easily were beyond even the powers that Aes Sedai were said to have. "Come, you two. You can swap stories once we are moving again." Nynaeve broke into their conversation to get the going, them immediately stopped in front of Ami, blocking her path. "And how are you this morning? I'm still not sure I approve of letting an Aes Sedai woman carry off three of our boys, especially when she manages to get a young girl like you hurt so quickly." "Oh, I'm fine now, Mistress al'Meara. Master Lan said that she Healed me last night. I've also borrowed one of her skirts, so I should be fine today. Thank you for checking on me." Giving a tug on her braid, Nynaeve made a show of inspecting Ami's sailor style top that she wore. "You'd do well to borrow one of her blouses too, while you are at it. Or just take one of her dresses. Something that covers up a bit more of your skin, and come up to your neck, not being so low cut like that thing you are wearing." Clutching her cloak closed around the front to hide her collar and bow, Ami blushed. She had never heard their school uniform being called immodest before. Perhaps she should be grateful that the girls at Juuban Junior High wore their skirts past their knees; she knew most other schools (like Rei's) had skirts that barely came to mid-thigh. Satisfied that she had terrified at least one Aes Sedai into doing what she was told, Nynaeve walked off to see about her own preparations. Disturbed, but not overly worried, Ami picked up one of the saddle bags and mimicked the boys motions as they packed the horses. Sissy did not seem any less dangerous to ride, but at least Ami was no longer frightened of the horse. In short order, everyone was packed and the again headed off. True to Lan's word, they did take the day at a leisurely pace. For the more accomplished horsemen - everyone else aside from Ami - it was a relaxing day of recovery. For the girl it was a gruelling day of struggle and effort. When the sun sank to the horizon and Lan declared it was time to camp for the night, she was able to dismount and sit on the ground, but no more. True, she was not bleeding and unconscious, but every muscle in her body hurt, and she did not think she had ever worked so hard in her entire life. Why on earth did people ride horses when it was still so hard on the rider? Chewing down a cold, hard biscuit of something unidentifiable, Ami was too tired to try and worry about what she was eating. Someone else unloaded, fed and rubbed down her horse. Another unnamed benefactor was also kind enough to lay a blanket over her shoulders to keep her warm when she fell asleep. Although she had intended to stay up and learn about the One Power with Egwene since Moiraine had promised lessons at night, the day's travel was simply too demanding and she was out like a light as soon as she stopped eating. In the morning Ami awoke to feel five hundred years old. Every muscle hurt, her bones and joints ached, and she felt tired and sluggish from the small, cold meal the night before. Breakfast consisted of another cold meal of dried meat (studiously checked to be sure that it was free of bugs and whatever else might live in unfrozen and unprotected meat), a cheese that was as hard to chew as the meat, and a strange sort of fatty biscuit everyone called "flat bread". They were standard travel rations in this part of the world, and they were almost as appetising as something Minako could cook. By the end of the second day Ami was feeling worse than she had considered possible. Her body had discovered new parts to tell her about that were hurting, and even her sore muscles seemed to have developed new levels of soreness. She was exhausted from sleeping on the rocky ground, hungry from the quality of the rations, and simply exhausted from the non-stop exertion. Two more days passed in the form of unmitigated agony before she began to recover. The human body is a remarkable organism, and at age fourteen the average person is saturated with growth hormones and primed to grow, thrive and adapt to any situation. When she awoke on the morning of her fifth day in the strange land, Ami was amazed to find that almost everything that had hurt had vanished. She was barely stiff, a little cold, and hungry enough to eat a horse - preferably Sissy, just so she could get a measure of revenge. Walking timidly through their camp to the woman who was leading them, Ami cleared her throat. "Moiraine Sedai, did you do a healing on me last night?" "No, Child. You seem to be coping better each day. There was no need to. Why?" "I was just feeling so much better today, I was sure that you must have had something to do with it." The older woman smiled, remember better days of her own childhood. "Just the miracle of youth, I assure you, Child. Nothing more. Enjoy it while it lasts, even Aes Sedai grow old eventually." "Really? I thought Aes Sedai would have been like the Sailor Senshi. I didn't think you would grow old" "No, I did not mean that we age like normal people, simply that we do age. No matter how young we appear, eventually the body will weaken and fail, but thanks to our connection to the One Power we age much more slowly than normal people." "That's what I thought you meant. Luna once told us that Sailor Senshi never age, that was why she thought it was sad that we had all become Senshi so young. I might be fourteen now, but in another ten years, I'll still have the body of a fourteen year old." Brightening, Ami smiled. "Fortunately, Japanese girls mature early. I really don't think I would have grown much more than this anyway." Moiraine blinked in surprise before looking down at the girl, examining her from head to foot. True, the girl did have a reasonably well developed figure, as mature as a woman several years her senior, but she was even smaller than Moiraine herself. The Aes Sedai was one of the smallest people she knew, only slightly over 150 centimetres (5 foot), and Ami was several centimetres shorter than that. Although Moiraine was not a voluptuous Tarabonner, or some overstuff Caemlyn lady she could not deny that her own breasts made Ami's seem small. What sort of life would it be where the only man she could attract was one that harboured unhealthy tastes? "Do not fear, Child. I am sure that this 'Luna' was mistaken. I have lived among Aes Sedai almost all my life, and we do age. You can expect it will take several years for you to bloom, but it will happen." "I'm sorry, Moiraine Sedai, but Luna was alive in the Silver Millennium. She knew the Senshi then too since she was the Queen's advisor." "The Silver Millennium? Did you not tell me yesterday morning that it had ceased to exist hundreds of thousands of years ago? A figure I still find it difficult to accept, since it predates the breach of the Dark One's prison by an order of magnitude or more. Is Luna another of your reincarnated Senshi? I do not recall her name on the roll you listed." "No, Luna was the Queen's advisor. She was a cat, not a Senshi. Actually, at the end of the Silver Millennium, when Queen Serenity sent the rest of us forward - 'bound us to the Wheel', I think you called us - Luna was put into stasis. That was how she survived." Rubbing the Great Serpent ring on her right hand, Moiraine paused for thought. Talking to this young girl was always interesting, since she seemed to remember everything you ever told her. Truly she had a remarkable memory. "What is this... 'stasis'? I am not familiar with the expression." "How can I explain it... I know! Do you remember when you told me that the Forsaken were still alive because they had been bound in Shayol Ghul with the Dark One, bound outside the Wheel Of Time, outside of the Pattern? That's basically what happened to Luna. The stasis pod moved her outside the normal universe until it was time for her to come back when Beryl awoke." "Incredible. And all this was done without channelling? Your world must be a most amazing place." "Actually, I said that no one where I come from can channel. I think the Silver Millennium must have been different. They were so far ahead of us in every respect... I'm pretty sure that the Sailor Suits were not the only things they made that could use the One Power. Just like your little angreal." "No, the angreal does not use the One Power, only a person can use the One Power. _Things_ are incapable of the control that you need. An angreal only permits you to channel more power without burning yourself out; it does not do any controlling of the power." Ami frowned cutely, thinking about what her teacher had just said. "No... Surely that can't be right... I mean, I've always known that the Mercury computer is run by magic, and what we called 'magic' is what you call 'the One Power'... Ah, I think I understand now!" "Really?" The scepticism fairly dripped from her voice, but Ami did not notice. "Yes. I think it must just be another way that the Silver Imperium was more advanced. Remember, they had more technology than where I came from, and knew more about using the One Power than your people do today. I think that every time I transform, the Mercury computer taps a little of the One Power from my Sailor Suit. If it then keeps that somehow... Stores it like a battery, perhaps... Yes, I think that makes sense. The One Power is much more flexible than stored electricity or chemical power. It would be a much better power source than anything available where I came from." Ami beamed at Moiraine, pleased at her deductions. Talking to Moiraine - someone who knew the basics of how the magic of their Senshi transformations worked - cleared up so many things. The science of the Moon Kingdom must have been incredibly advanced to have the best of both worlds. No wonder they were able to colonise all the planets of their system. "I still say that no creation can control the One Power. It just is not possible. Now, it is time to pack and be on our way. If all goes well, we should be in Baerlon tonight." Later, as the day progressed and they were riding along, Ami pressed Egwene for more details on Baerlon, the city that they were heading towards. She would have tried Moiraine, but the woman had made it clear to the travellers previously that she did not care for casual conversation while they were travelling. With Lan normally off scouting or searching for trollocs or Darkfriends that might be following, Moiraine was usually both anxious about him and pre-occupied with her own lookout. After Ami asked, Egwene blushed and turned away slightly, making her first words hard to understand. "I'm not really the best person to be asking, I've spent all of my life in Edmond's Field... but..." When she received a nod of encouragement, the dark haired beauty continued waxing more enthusiastic with every sentence. To people from Edmond's Field, Baerlon was not just _a_ city, it was _the_ city. It was the place that stories centred around, where all travellers of any repute would set out to as a destination. While there were certainly other cities shown on her father's map, Egwene could not really say much about them, since any descriptions was bound to be exaggerated by the effect of rumours and distance. But Baerlon... Baerlon was the great metropolitan centre near the Two Rivers. She had heard plenty of stories about Baerlon, and she was sure they must be all true. Accepting Egwene's glowing stories with a grain of salt and an acceptance of how the truth could be altered by someone who had not seen it, Ami started to build up a decent view of what she thought she could expect. It would be larger than Edmond's Field for certain, and it would be likely to have the best the world could offer in terms of both services and technology. Judging from Egwene's description, the only thing that Baerlon was not famous for was the presence of Aes Sedai. Moiraine had not been clear on why they all congregated at the White Tower, but it appeared to be the case. * * * The sun was down and it was full dark when the town of Baerlon finally came into view. It was dark, so details were scant, but the moon was out and half full, supplementing the light of housing and watch fires. Baerlon was both everything she expected, and everything she feared rolled into one. Baerlon was small. When all the villagers were gawking at the size of the place, Ami was dumbfounded that the place could be considered a major city. It would be lucky to appear on a map in Japan. Baerlon was primitive. For a while, Ami had harboured the hope that maybe only Edmond's Field was stuck in the Middle Ages. Think of the colonisation of America by the white man: immense technological differences could be found across the continent as far-flung outposts lived at subsistence farming levels while port cities thrived with the latest European inventions. Baerlon did not show any of the typical signs Ami would have expected of a moderately technological city. No smoke stacks, no constant glow of electric lights, even the road was simply dirt all the way up to the city wall that they were approaching. A city wall... That was another thing that had caused Ami to giggle softly to herself as she walked along. Historically, Japanese cities did not tend to use city walls widely. They were either small farming villages, tied to large areas of rice crops that would be unable to be defended by a wall; or large wooden cities, a fire trap that would engulf everyone if they were subjected to a siege. This meant that Ami's only real knowledge of city walls was from her broad reading, and the occasional reference to ancient Europe. All that she really knew was that people had stopped using city walls for two reasons: modern cities were too big to fence, and city walls did not work any more. Ami could not say for certain why city walls did not work, but she would have guessed that it would have been the invention of gunpowder siege guns. Even with just a few pieces of wood, people could make a catapult, so the people here must have those. She would need to ask someone more knowledgeable than herself why cannons were so much better. Moiraine spoke to the gateman, and led them through into the city. While Egwene was beside her, talking with the boys about how much she was looking forwards to a hot bath, Ami could only catalogue other issues all around her. Dirt streets, no sanitation, little lighting, few if any written signs, the all pervasive odour of human and animal crowding, the complete absence in the air of the tang of petrochemical pollution, large buildings having multiple chimneys obviating the needs of central heating, frequent water storage tanks meaning no aqueducts or centralised water sources, the list went on an on. Slumping in her saddle, Ami berated herself for holding out any hope of finding somewhere that would be a close approximation of home. Even Tokyo two hundred years ago would have been better: they may not have had the technology, but they were highly cultured nonetheless. "Hey, Ami! Why are you so sad? Didn't you hear what Moi--- I mean Lady Alys said? It won't be long and we'll all be soaking in a nice hot bath. Ohh, I can't wait to get clean again." Egwene sighed dramatically after bringing her horse aside Ami once more. To keep herself and Lan anonymous in the city, Moiraine and her warder were using assumed names. "Hmm? I guess a bath will be nice. I miss soaking in the tub." Running a hand through her long tresses, Egwene eyed Ami. "It must be your short hair. True, you could be mistaken for a young boy, but it must be so easy to take care of, you're always so clean and fresh every morning." Ami blinked up at the girl, surprised that no one had commented on it until now. She was certainly aware that she was the only one that did not smell like they had been riding a horse for a week without a wash. "No, it's just that I'm the only one that cleans up every day. I'm surprised Lady Alys does not know this trick, really. Every time I change into a Sailor Senshi, it cleans me up and repairs the Sailor Suit. It's really terribly useful magic. That's why we never have to worry if our Sailor Suit gets damaged in a battle; it just repairs itself." Egwene gaped for a few moments, her mouth flapping open like a fish out of water. "You... You mean every day when I have to ride around smelling myself and this silly horse on everything, you've been making yourself smell nice and clean? Ohh, why couldn't she have taught me how to do that trick first?" "Actually, Mistress al'Vere, I don't think she knows how. But I have seen her bathing in the streams on some days." "B-But they're freezing! It's the middle of winter! She must have been frozen!" Ami gave a philosophical shrug. She remembered Rei telling her about some of the training she would occasionally do with her grandfather on school holidays. Meditating under a waterfall in winter was one of the more extreme measures. "I think it is all a matter of focus... and priorities. Maybe Lady Alys is very focused on being clean and presentable." "I didn't hear anything about you taking a bath in the river." Giving an exaggerated shiver, the short haired girl laughed. "Please believe me, if that was my only option, I would be smelly too. I think a warm bath will be quite nice." True to Egwene's predictions, as soon as they reached an inn and handed over their horses to a stable hand, they were escorted into a large bath room. The way that it combined features of what Ami would have expected of a traditional bath house with the facilities in any Japanese home made Ami nostalgic for what she lost, but those feelings did not slow her down as she immediately began disrobing in the warm, steamy room. Placing her clothes in a wicker basket off to the side, Ami squatted down beside Egwene and scooped a several ladles of hot water over her head and shoulders, washing off the day's dust. Naturally, the communal bath room followed the same design philosophy as Japanese baths, it was the only thing that made sense in a country where people were expecting to travel for days or weeks without washing. Everyone stood around for a while, rinsing and washing while standing on the floor. Great rivers of dirty soapy water cascaded off all the ladies - even Ami and Moiraine - but by the time they were done and heading to the large soaking tubs, they were clean enough that they would not be making each other dirty merely with their presence. As Ami stood and walked towards one of the large tubs for a well deserved soak and rest, Moiraine halted her with a quiet comment. "You would do well to wash your hair before soaking with the rest of us, Child." "My hair, Lady Alys?" Ami used the Aes Sedai's assumed name even here where they were all alone. Touching one hand to her damp hair, she looked at the woman quizzically. "I've already washed it. Why?" "I simply did not want that blue dye coming out while we soaked together. The last thing we would need is for the four of us to leave the baths all the same pale blue. However, if you say that you have washed it, then I shall accept that the art of dyes is another thing in which your world is more advanced." The dark haired Senshi gave a relieved smile and continued on to the tub, continuing to speak as she eased herself into water that was so hot, it almost hurt. "Ahh... That's so nice... While it is likely that we are better at making dyes, you really don't have anything to worry about. My hair is naturally dark blue." "What?!" This from Nynaeve. The Two Rivers' Wisdom was always freer with her emotions that most people. "Don't be absurd, girl. No one has blue hair! It's just not natural." "Yes it is. See, even my eyebrows are blue. Besides, what's wrong with that colour, Mistress al'Meara? I realise the rest of you have different shades of brown, but Master al'Thor's hair is red. I've known lots of girls with blue hair, or other different colours, too. Green, pink, black, white... All sorts." "Tam doesn't have red hair... Oh, you mean Rand. Listen, Ami, there is no need to be calling those boys Master This or Master That. At their age, the only things they are masters of are getting into trouble, and speaking without thinking first. Just call him Rand. You'll get me confused with his father if you keep calling him Master al'Thor." The small girl shrugged, a little lost in the different protocols they employed here. In Japan it was nice and simple. You always called someone older than you 'san' or 'sempai'; calling someone by just their given name would quite insulting, and extremely familiar for someone she had just met a week ago. Feeling Moiraine slide into the water beside her, Ami turned to look, but a firm pair of hands on her head stopped the motion. "Just a moment, Child. Since I first saw you I had assumed that you dyed you hair. If it is natural, I would like to take a closer look. You see, around here we do not have blue hair; or pink, green or white for that matter. True, some older women's hair may go white, but I do not expect that is what you are referring to." The next ten minutes were spent discussing hair, cultures and the different people who lived on the continent. Although Nynaeve was the nominal wise woman of her village, her knowledge of the outside world paled in comparison to Moiraine, who subsequently dominated the conversation with Ami. As a result, the time spent in the bath was an education to all involved. Egwene and Nynaeve learned of two worlds, while Moiraine and Ami learned more of the myriad differences between the people, and the surprisingly large number of similarities. Dinner that night was not as good as what had been offered in the Two Rivers, nor was it up to the standards Ami had been used to in Japan, but it was still infinitely better than hard cheese, even harder bread, and hardwood cunningly disguised as preserved meat. At least today's meal was something she could eat without having to soak it in water to try and soften it. * * * The following day, eighth since Ami's arrival in this strange world, was spent shopping. It was a bittersweet treat for Ami who wished that her shopping mad friends Usagi and Minako could have been there, but a delight in every other way. Moiraine provided Nynaeve with a number of coins, and instructed the woman to take Ami and Egwene shopping for new clothes. Ami was the worst off, but even the other two from Edmond's Field could do with something more appropriate for travel, and something decent to wear that would not immediately see them branded as country hicks. When they had first set out, Ami had firmly resolved to get one of those coins to look at when she could be alone and transform into Sailor Mercury. She would need her visor and computer to be sure, but just judging by the copper-yellow colour, the coins were almost certainly gold. No doubt they were valuable here, but that many grams of gold would have been an absolute fortune back in Tokyo. But then, most of the world had used gold backed currencies (or even coins minted with precious metal) until the start of the twentieth century. She knew she should not be surprised to see that much gold in coins, but it had still shocked her nonetheless. Shopping for clothes was well and truly enough to destroy any thoughts Ami may have had about the mineral content of the local currency. It was not that she was a clothes horse, fashion oriented or even a particularly keen shopper. It was simply the difference between what is, and what was. "Prent a porte" or "ready to wear" clothes had only been introduced on Earth a century prior to her own birth as a standard within shops. Even then, they had not become common and accepted until mass production and population shortages during the Second World War forced their acceptance on the public. Of course, by Ami's time off- the-rack clothing was the norm, not the exception. Her idea of clothes shopping was walking past endless shops with infinite variety, then finding something you liked and searching for the right size. Egwene and Nynaeve quickly dissuaded her of that concept. In fact, they were as shocked by the concept of having clothes available and waiting for someone, as Ami had been with the idea that you would hand make, custom fit every single item. As a result, Ami was measured, examined and studied by a couple of seamstresses that their innkeeper had recommended to Moiraine. The others helped advise her on style, fabric and colour, then they left to get new shoes, followed by a long, luxurious lunch. Over lunch - where they either drank ale or herb tea since milk was in short supply in the middle of the city - Moiraine and Lan met up with them again, having spent the morning conferring with some of her contacts in the city. "The seamstresses will take time to make those clothes, and they will not be ready until tonight, Child. In the mean time, there is someone I would like you to meet at the inn. I shall take you there after lunch. Egwene and Nynaeve, you can continue to look around if you desire. But remember to be careful." Egwene's nod was far more vigorous than Nynaeve's, but both of them were determined not to lose a minute of time. It was their first time in a real city and it showed, even through the Wisdom's feigned indifference. "I apologise if you wanted to see more of Baerlon, Child, but we will be leaving tomorrow, and I do not have time for you to sightsee." Moiraine continued to address Ami. As far as she was concerned, the matter with the others was closed and over. "Yes, that's fine, Lady Alys. Don't worry, there's not really all that much to see here. Baerlon is quiet small compared to home." "Yes... I remember you mentioned you lived in a city. 'Tokyo' it was called, wasn't it?" "Yes. Tokyo is... Tokyo is a lot different to Baerlon. I'm really not sure where to start describing it." Moiraine smiled. She was not of the Brown Ajah, but Ami represented an untold wealth of information on a world completely different from her own. At times she wondered how much of what she heard was being exaggerated, but every time she spoke to the girl, the story was completely consistent, and she was almost painfully earnest and honest. "Try just telling us the two most obvious things, then." Looking around, Ami frowned for a moment in concentration, then smiled. Finding two differences between this primitive medieval town and a modern metropolis like Tokyo was easy. "Well, firstly all the streets are paved. The only place there is grass or dirt is in parks or gardens. The rest is covered in concrete or bitumen... Sort of an artificial stone." Moiraine blinked at the description "artificial stone", but nodded anyway. The White Tower or Whitebridge could be described as artificial stone, but she assumed that the lack of strength in the One Power in Ami's world would have precluded the construction of such great edifices. But then, in the great cities like Tar Valon, Tear or Caemlyn, many of the streets of the inner city were paved, so it may not be far off. "The other very obvious difference is the size. Tokyo is much bigger." Nynaeve looked around and gave her braid a couple of swift tugs for good measure as she frowned at Ami. Compared to Edmond's Field, Baerlon was huge. "How can you say that? I may not be as wet behind the ears as those boys who went running off around here, but even I realise just how big Baerlon is." "Well, yes, compared to your home, I guess it is large, but how many people live here? Thousands? Tens of thousands? I could be wrong, but I honestly don't think there would be more than a hundred thousand people here." Even Moiraine was quiet at that statement. A city of a hundred thousand persons was nothing to sneeze at. Even the largest cities around would only have a few hundred thousand at most. Pursing her lips in concentration, she asked the obvious question. "Just how many people are there in Tokyo?" "The last time I heard, there were around eighteen million people in Tokyo. It's one of the largest cities in the world." "Impossible!" The words burst from Nynaeve before anyone else could comment. "I don't care what sort of stories you want to tell, but don't assume we are fools or children. There is no way that you could feed even a tenth of that many people. Let alone all of their animals. And think of the mess! It's simply impossible!" Ami shrugged apologetically. She was a little bothered that Nynaeve did not believe her, but not overly distressed. It was simply the truth, and if the woman's worldview could not encompass something that size, it was not Ami's problem. After all, Nynaeve was a product of her environment, and that environment did not even contain a fraction of what the modern world included. "Child," Moiraine began gently. Unlike Nynaeve, she believe - perhaps even feared - Ami was telling the truth. "How _do_ you feed that many people?" "Well, we eat a lot of rice, which is fairly compact. But I think the main thing is we can preserve a lot of our food in ways that aren't available to you, which means we can ship it in from a long distance away. Also, our 'trucks' can carry more weight, and move much faster than a horse and cart. It really is a big effort from all over the country." They talked for a while longer, but never returned to the light hearted banter that they had started lunch with. Eventually Moiraine stood and gestured for Ami to join her. "Come. We shall return to the Stag And Lion. It is time." With that enigmatic note, Moiraine led them off, refusing to say more about why they were returning, or who it was she wanted Ami to meet. When they arrived, Moiraine led them straight upstairs to their room, and then gestured her to enter whereupon Ami saw the first girl she had met in this world that had hair as short as her own. "Hello, I'm Min, it's nice to meet you. I like your haircut, by the way." Ami bowed to the girl. "Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ami Mizuno." The short haired woman giggled. "There's no need to bow to me. I'm not the queen, you know." In truth, she was probably still considered a girl in this world, despite being several years older than Ami. But that was simply another one of the oddities of this world. In Japan a girl was considered sufficiently old to be a woman by the time she was fourteen or sixteen depending where she lived. Legal adulthood still required a few more years, but nowhere near what was required here. Rand, Matt and Perrin were all of an age, and in their early twenties. Using that definition, Min was probably still a girl herself. Ami smiled. "I'm sorry, it's just considered polite to bow to strangers where I come from." "Yes, Moiraine mentioned something about..." Min stared at her, eyes slightly unfocused, but clearly concentrating on something. Just as Ami was beginning to feel very self-conscious and wonder whether she had spilt some of her lunch, Min shook herself and turned to Moiraine. "W- Who is she? _What_ is she?" Moiraine gave her small, enigmatic smile and then settled herself on the room's sole chair. "Ami Mizuno is a traveller from another dimension. She is their equivalent of an Aes Sedai." Min stared at Ami again, then blinked in surprise. "You're right. I had not noticed that before. Interesting." Now it was the dark haired Aes Sedai's turn to look surprised. Normally when Min examined someone, the most obvious thing was whether they were an Aes Sedai. That tended to have such a profound effect on their life that it was impossible to miss. Turning to pierce Ami with her own stare, Moiraine relented and gave the confused girl a brief explanation. "Min is one of those gifted people who can see parts of the Pattern. She normally sees these as a set of images around a person. I brought you here so that she could try and give you some guidance." "I can see the future. I don't always know what the images I see mean, but some of them are easy to interpret. Others are literally scenes from the future... You seem to be taking this very calmly. Most people are shocked when they find out I can do this." Ami waved her hand. "Oh, no, it's very interesting. I've never actually had someone read my fortune, but I used to know a boy called Urawa. He was a very nice boy, and very smart too. He actually managed to compete with me on some of our tests at school. Except one day he admitted to me that he did not actually know all of the answers, it was just that he could see the future, and so he already knew what answers I was going to write, so he put them down too. "Knowing that someone can see the future is actually quite interesting. Although it meant that he could see past my magical disguise, he taught us all an important lesson about how important it is to fight for what we believe in." "I'm sorry, Ami, you seem like a nice girl, but my gift sounds like it is different from this U-Urawa's." Min struggled for a moment with the strange pronunciation. "What I see always comes to pass. It does not matter how much you fight it, or what you try and change, eventually the pattern will be woven. And I'm afraid I do not see many good things about you." "Oh, don't worry about that. Urawa was always right, too. But that did not mean that he knew everything, or that you could not make things better. When he first told me about his power, he wanted me to kill him, because he knew that he was going to be controlled by one of the Dark Kingdom's Generals, and changed into a Youma... Err, that is, he knew that one of the Beryl's Dreadlords was going to use a compulsion on him, and change him into a trolloc." Min gaped open mouthed at the blithe way Ami described some of the most fearsome names from legend and calmly spoke of their actions. Moiraine rested her face in her hand. She knew she had not explicitly told Ami to keep her past secret, but even a naive teenager should have realised the need to keep her mouth closed on the subject, without being told. Undeterred, Ami continued. "The main thing was, Urawa did not realise that Sailor Moon could cure him. So, yes, he was changed into a trolloc, and he was forced to attack us, but he still managed to resist. He could not break free, but his resistance to the Dreadlord was enough to get us the time we needed. Sailor Moon was able to heal him, and we defeated the Dreadlord. "You see? It is not necessarily terrible when you see something bad in the future. If you fight for what is right, and you are willing to make the effort to do good in this world, then even the worst situation can be overcome." Ami smiled again, and silently gave thanks for the fact that she had been blessed with knowing Tsukino Usagi - Sailor Moon. Usagi had taught Ami a lot about hope, determination and faith. If you persist, no matter how bad things may look, you can always find a way to win through in the end, because you are blessed with the strength of the just and righteous. Min blinked several times and looked between Ami and Moiraine seeking confirmation of the extraordinary tale. Ami simply smiled, not for a moment considering that Min would not believe her story. While Moiraine neither affirmed nor dismissed the statements, the way that she sat there with a look of almost physical pain on her face was enough to convince Min. Aes Sedai were notoriously tight lipped, and Moiraine could not be enjoying the way that Ami willingly spilled their "secrets". "You could be right, Ami." Min absently tucked a short lock of hair behind her ear. "I certainly hope you are for your sake; for all our sakes. The things I see... They are bad enough without adding something worse to them." "What is it you see, Girl?" The Aes Sedai might respect Min's gift, but that did not change the normal way she spoke to people. "I see war, fighting, death and destruction. It is... It is simply incredible... I have seen soldiers before, but nothing like this. It is more like wholesale slaughter than a war." "Will... Will I be causing it, or fighting it? Please, tell me I will be the one trying to stop the slaughter." "I don't know, I cannot tell. All I can see is that at some point in the future, you will be central to the death of thousands." Ami looked aside, anguish written all across her face, but Min continued. "I see other things, things that are much clearer. There is a crown, and that can only mean you will be in contact with royalty; coins indicating great wealth, and a city. I'm not sure, but it might be Caemlyn or Cairhien. It doesn't have the White Tower or the Stone, so I know it is not Tar Valon or Tear. It's certainly a large city, bigger than Baerlon, so that narrows it down considerably. "There are a number of people around you as well, but I'm afraid I only know one of them; that's Rand. At some stage in the future, the two of you will be either be working together, or fighting each other. I guess that is what you mean when you say that while the future cannot change, how you get there can." "The other people... The could be my friends... Do you see any girls, around my age? There should be a blonde girl, with her hair done up into two buns, and a long pony tail down each side of her head. Perhaps Rei or Mina. They both have very long, beautiful hair, but Mina's is blonde where Rei's is black. Maybe Mako-chan? She's very tall, with brown hair done up in a pony tail." "Yes, that's them. There are four others too, dressed in similar uniforms to most of the girls. The blonde, the one with the two pony tails, she's wearing some sort of gown, but I could hardly even begin to describe what the others are wearing." Silent tears ran down Ami's face, and she raised one hand high with her Henshin stick. This was what she had been hoping for. Some sign, some indication that she would be able to return home and some day see her friends once more. As the transformation ended, Ami gestured down at her easily identifiable Sailor uniform. "Is this what the girls are wearing? Something like this, but with different colour?" Min gasped, both at the sight of what was obviously Aes Sedai magic, but also at the cut and style of Ami's dress. It was strange enough seeing people wearing such small, tight clothing in a vision, having it be displayed in the same room was a step beyond odd. Min knew that she wore non-conventional clothes given her preference for men's shirts and trousers, but even she would never have considered Ami's apparel in a million years. "W-What are they doing, Min? Will I get to see them again?" "I... I'm sorry, Ami. I'm not sure, but I don't think so..." Min forced herself to continue, despite the obvious hurt that Ami was feeling. She knew that Ami was destined to do something vitally important in this world, and her efforts may hinge on the fact that she understood that her life here was something permanent. "They're standing in front of a statue... I think it might be of you, now that you've changed. There's writing or something at the base of the statue, but I can't read it. I can't even tell if it is writing. It's really just a bunch of strange lines and pictures, but it's where I would have expected a plaque or something." Ami's transformation faded away with a brief burst of light. Tears flooded her eyes now, and even without seeing it, she knew that the plaque would have been in Japanese, and Usagi would only have done something like that if she believed she would never see Ami again. Knowing Usagi, that admission would be a very long time in coming. Turning away, Ami held her forearm across her eyes to mop up the tears, and ran out the door with a tortured sob. Every time she though she had come to terms with the loss of her old life, something new would come along to hammer another nail into the coffin that held her past. Moiraine rose to go after Ami, but Min's soft voice held her. "There was something else, Moiraine Sedai. A field of skulls. I've only seen it a few times before, and never this large. Behind Ami, the field seem to extend on and on forever, and it only means one thing... A lot of people are going to die, and it is going to be a direct result of something that she does. I could not even count the number of skulls, there are so many. How can one ordinary girl cause so many deaths?" Fearing that she knew the answer only too well, Moiraine paused to answer with one hand on the door frame. Looking back, she locked eyes with Min in silent support. "From her accounts, Ami Mizuno was not an ordinary girl even where she came from, I suspect she was even something of a genius. Here, now, I suspect she could be as big a danger as any the world may face." As she walked down the hall to comfort the sobbing girl, the diminutive woman came to a terrifying realisation. With the Dragon Reborn most likely awake, and the seals on the Dark One's prison weakening, this crying girl with her knowledge of a different world may represent as much danger as any of the three boys if she fell into the hands of the Dark One. Moiraine could only hope that the girl's history of battling the forces of darkness would help her keep an even keel, and steer her way through the reefs and shoals of the Dark One's temptations and threats. Hours later when Ami felt herself being shaken awake by a hand on her shoulder, she lifted her head and shook it in confusion. Her interrupted sleep left her at a loss for several moments as she tried to remember where she was, and why she was there. She was on a dirty straw bed in the middle of an ancient city, so primitive that they had not even discovered centralised plumbing, let alone electric lights. Worse still, she was here to stay. Here forever, with no reprieve. Min had said that her visions were always right. Always one hundred percent correct. If Min had seen Sailor Moon in her Moon Princess form dedicating a plaque to Ami, then it meant that as far as her friends were concerned, Ami was dead. She knew the Senshi, and the two things they never lacked was determination and persistence. If something had made Usagi believe that Ami was lost to them, it meant that the girl had seen Ami's dead body, or such an incredible amount of time had passed that they had lost all hope. Just being here was bad enough - she was a scholar in an age that had no interest in learning - but knowing her friends had either written her off, or someday would, was the final twist of the knife. * * * The hand was back on her shoulder, shaking the dark haired girl, and Nynaeve's stern voice whispered in her ear. "Wake up, Girl. We have to get moving!" Sitting up, Ami blinked a few times and took in the lamp light that was the only source of illumination in their darkened room. "What time is it, Mistress al'Maere? It's not time to go yet." The Wisdom stole a quick, fearful glance to the door, then resumed packing the last of her things into a bag. "A half man. Rand saw him downstairs; probably would have lost his fool head staring at it if Lan had not come along. What are you?... No, there's no need to transform, Girl. The Fade is long gone. We'll be long gone too, by the time it can come back with friends." Ami took her heavy cloak and threw it over her shoulders to cover her Senshi costume. This was not like being in Tokyo. If a trolloc or a Fade turned up, she and her friends would be the targets, and there would be no opportunity to transform into Sailor Mercury when things got busy. If she changed now, however, she could given them quite a surprise. Throwing open the top of her own saddlebag, Ami pushed in the package of clothes the Nynaeve and Egwene had left for her earlier that evening while she had been sleeping. Her packing complete, Ami picked up the saddlebags with almost negligent ease and trotted down the stairs, hot on the Wisdom's heels. When they reached the stables, she was given a few second glances, since the Senshi transformation stopped people from recognising her as Ami Mizuno, but they also knew her as Sailor Mercury, so no one halted their preparations. As they led their horses out a back entrance to the stables, Lan spared a moment to lean down next to Ami and speak quietly. "I've seen your dress when you are like that, Child, and it does not strike me as the best for riding a horse through the night. Would you consider changing back?" Ami looked up at the bigger man with determination in her eyes. "My transformation gives me protection all over, not just on the clothing, riding the horse will not be a problem. I'm more concerned about running into someone nasty in the night." Moving out onto the street proper, Lan thought for a moment, then swung up onto his horse. "Aye. Moiraine Sedai and myself should be enough to spot anything of the Dark One coming at us, but your strength could be well used." When the reached the gate out of the city and Lan was convincing the watch to open it up, a trio of well dressed knights came up, demanding to know what was going on. 'This has promise', Ami thought. Without question, the knights were the most impressive sight that she had seen since she arrived here. Although Lan was a big, dangerous and intimidating man, his dark, colour-shifting cloak helped him blend into any background. It was superb for concealment and defence, and more than just a little disturbing if he sneaked up on you, but he was nowhere near as impressive as these knights, the Children Of The Light, as she heard Nynaeve whisper. The three Children (who were really all adults) were tall, clean, and decked out in either brilliant plate mail, or equally shiny chain mail. Their cloaks were a stunning white that stood out in the torch-lit night, and all their brass and leatherwork shone with polish and pride. To Ami's eyes, these were what real knights should look like. Tall, proud, and efficient; quick, clean and deadly. Out of almost everything she had seen to date, these men were the closest to the ideal fantasy story knights templar, royal guards or other elite units. Unfortunately, from what she could gather from the conversation, although they looked like sterling knights, they were bigoted idiots with religious tunnel vision. As the conversation dragged on, and Ami could see her friends getting more agitated, Ami's patience finally snapped. She had had enough. Pushed around, attacked by more monsters than she had ever seen before, subjected to horrific horse rides and denied even the basics of a modern existence, her patience had been wearing thinner for some time now. After the final acknowledgement that she would never see her dear friends again, and then being rousted from her bed after yet another attack from one of the Dark One's minions, she had had enough. So angry that she was almost ready to say a bad word, Ami dug her heels into her horse and moved from the back of the group until she was directly in front of the leader of the knights, a man who had identified himself as Child Bornhald. From where he stood, looking up at the cloaked figure on the horse, all he could see was a bright, shiny blue boot of some unknown material, and a warm, sturdy travel cloak. "Who are you that would stop me from leaving this town?" Ami demanded in her angriest voice, which sounded close to a normal person being slightly irritated. "I am one of the Children Of The Light, and I would stop anyone who does not walk in the Light. And who are you, that would see to leave the town late at night?" "Who am I?" Ami pushed back her hood, letting the torch light reflect off her golden tiara. Set in the front of the tiara was massive sapphire, larger than a grown man's thumb. "I am Princess Mercury of the Moon Kingdom! I shall go where I like, and I shall go there when I want to. Neither you, nor anyone else around here can stop me. If I chose to leave now, that is nobody's business but mine!" Bornhald looked at her carefully, trying to commit her face to memory. "I've never heard of any 'Moon Kingdom', and it does not change the fact that only Darkfriends would need to fear the Children. Those who walk in the Light have no need to sneak out of the gates at night." "Well, I've never heard of the Children Of The Light, either, so that makes us equal. Perhaps it is because we have no need of people like you where I come from? Did you ever consider that? The Moon Kingdom may be much reduced since the days when Queen Serenity herself gave her life to seal the Dark One and the Foresaken away, but every single one of us would lay down our lives if that was what it took to stop them. And if you ever call me a Darkfriend again I'll... I'll say something very nasty to you!" Tears of frustration and anger stood out in her eyes, but Sailor Mercury glared at the man, daring him to push her that one step further. Eventually it was the Child that looked away, gesturing to the others sitting on their horses, gawking at her. "You still have not explained why you would be seeking to scurry out these gates during the middle of the night. Or why you would travel while the wolves and worse are out, rather than waiting for the light of day." "Light pollution." Mercury said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I beg your pardon?" "Light pollution. During the night, temperature inversions cause a layer of lower atmosphere to polarise, with cooling air sinking, but air heated by the ground rising. This induces a increase in low altitude humidity, and increased incidence of super-saturation of water molecules in the atmosphere. As a direct result of this, any lighting in the immediate vicinity of the observer can be reflected, raising incoming light levels. Given the limitations imposed by atmospheric effects any way, further loss of luminosity contrast is unacceptable if you are searching for anything other than first or second order celestial bodies." There was stunned silence all around. Bornhald was the first to speak. "You what?" Mercury rolled her eyes. She was used to having to explain things twice to her friends, but they were just school girls. If this man was going to try and interrogate her, the least he could do was pay attention. "Star watching! As we travel, I index the stars and count them. It's for navigational purposes." "You're counting the number of stars in the sky?" "Yes. And mapping them. What else would I be doing with them?" Bornhald waved a hand, half turning away from them. "Let them through. Only a real princess would even consider spending their time on something as useless as counting the number of stars in the sky." Glaring at the man's departing back, Mercury fumed and tried to think of something appropriate she could call him. However, all she could do was sit there and fume at his insults until Moiraine took her by the elbow and led their horses out the gate. As they rode into the darkness and up onto a small hill that overlooked the city, Moiraine rode to one side of Sailor Mercury, while Lan rode to the other. "I am most impressed, Child. You did well to make all of that up on the spot. I was expecting that I would need to do something much more intimidating and... obvious... to convince the Whitecloaks to let us pass." "Oh, but I didn't make any of it up, Moiraine Sedai." Moiraine gave her an unreadable stare. "You mean you really are a princess?" Ami waved it aside. "Well, Luna - that's Usagi-chan's advisor - once told us that although the Moon Princess was the ruler of the Moon Kingdom, each of the Senshi was actually the ruler of one of the planets. Of course, there's no one living on any of those planets now, so we are really just Usagi-chan's soldiers and protectors, fighting against Beryl and the Dark One." "And what you said about the sky? What was that?" "Oh, that was astronomy. Have you heard of that word?" When the two shook their heads, she tried again, just in case it was her command of the language that was at fault. "Astronomy is the study of the sky. Generally it is also the study of the moon, the planets and the sun also, but I've started to suspect something about this world." "Studying the stars? I've not heard of that before." "Actually, on my world, there were two main reasons people started paying serious, scientific attention to the sky, and I'm just not sure that either of them exists here. "The first one was sea travel. If you are out of sight of the land, you can actually determine your position just by measuring the angles to different stars. Of course, you can do it on land too, but normally you don't need to, since there are so many landmarks. I've been assuming that the map in Master al'Vere's Inn back at Edmond's Field was mostly correct. If that is the case, then no one goes out into the deep ocean, so there's no need to develop astronomy for naval navigation. "The second method was to try and understand and explain the planets. But... I've been taking pictures of the sky every night we've been travelling with my visor, and I have not been able to see any sign of planets. Now that could mean that they are all in some sort of conjunction while in opposition to our planet, or it could mean that they don't exist. I'm guessing that it means there are no planets here, otherwise it would have lead people to study astronomy." "Planets? You mentioned these before. I thought they were something like countries." That was a tricky one. How do you explain the concept of planets to an uneducated person who not only has no concept of orbital mechanics, they probably even believe the world is flat! Ami sighed, and decided she would go with the simplest solution. "See the moon up there? It's actually very, very large, but very far away. So far away that it looks that little. Now just imagine it was even further away. Imagine it was so far away, that it was just a little spot in the sky, like one of the stars. That's sort of like what a planet is." Moiraine sat silently on her horse for a long time, alternately looking at Ami, then up into the sky. Eventually she shrugged her shoulders. "What you say may be true, and it is certainly interesting, but I do not think it will have any bearing on the future here. We must keep moving tonight, and again tomorrow. However, once we have some time, I shall continue to teach the two of you in the use of the One Power. That is the only thing that truly matters in this world." When Moiraine rode to the front of the group, Ami silently stared at her horse's mane. Oddly enough, after spending so much time on the animal's back, Ami was slowly learning not to hate Sissy. The name still struck here as odd for an animal so large and strong, but it was the Two River's folk that had named her horse, and they probably had something else to compare it against. A quiet voice beside her shook Ami, reminding her that Lan still rode beside her. His voice was soft, and while it was its normal gruff tone, there was a gentleness to it. "You did not seem to notice me earlier, but I was with you when Min spoke of what she saw in your future. Moiraine does not see anything else beyond the One Power, but I have been a soldier many years longer than I have been a Warder. Perhaps I am wrong, but I cannot help but wonder what effect your knowledge could have on us, and how it could affect our fight against the Dark One." "Lan..." "You did well tonight, 'Princess'. I was glad Moiraine Sedai did not have to reveal herself to those Whitecloaks, for they have no liking for Aes Sedai." From his light stress on the title, Ami could also see him smiling at her in the darkness. It was nice to know that even though she had lost her friends and her mother - even through she only saw the famous doctor occasionally - she was making new friends, and had the respect of someone like Lan. The continued along the Caemlyn Road for several more hours, working to ensure that they were well out of sight of the city, and beyond any searches that the Fade and it servants could conduct. As the sky finally began to lighten, and the first traces of red were visible in the clouds Lan called for a break, bringing all of the travellers together for a meal and to discuss the plans for their upcoming journey. Naturally, Moiraine and Lan had determined those plans during the night as they rode, without consulting anyone else. "For those of you who do not know, we are currently upon the Caemlyn Road." The way Moiraine spread her gaze around left little doubt that she included everyone other than herself, Lan and possibly Thom in that assumed ignorance. "We will take this road south-east to Whitebridge, then due east to Caemlyn. Once we reach Caemlyn, it should only take another three or four weeks to reach Tar Valon. "As you are all aware, the reason we left Baerlon in such a hurry was the fact that a Fade made itself known to Rand at the Stage And Lion. At this time, I do not know how it managed to find us, but we can definitely assume that it will know we have left in sort order. Since the Dark One wants you three boys, you can also be assured that the Fade will be following us as soon as possible. "Our main problem is that the Fade will be just as aware as we are that the only safe place for these boys is in Tar Valon, which makes that our only destination. When the Fade come after us - and I do mean 'when', not 'if' - it will be seeking us along the Caemlyn Road. Like us, it knows that this is the fastest route to safety. "We only have two advantages, and I intend to use each of them to keep you safe. Firstly, our horses are rested, and we can travel faster on the road than trollocs can. If the Fade is alone, we could defeat it, so we must assume that it has some trollocs with it, probably a handful of survivors from the attack on Edmond's Field. If we move smartly, they should not catch us. "Our second advantage is the fact that while I ride with you, they will be unable to spy us using their dark powers. This does not mean that we cannot be seen, however. As such, I want everyone to keep their eyes open, if you even think you spy a Draghkar, tell Lan or myself immediately. Also, we will not be building any fires between here and Whitebridge. Not for breakfast, and certainly not for dinner. We have enough food in our saddlebags to last, and the light and smoke of a cook fire would be immediately visible to a Draghkar, no matter where it was. "We shall have two hour's rest here. I want you to feed and rub down your horses first, because if you do not take care of them, they will surely founder and that will be your death. When we mount up, we will ride as long as we can, eat in the saddle, and we will not break until dusk. I will set the pace, and I shall ensure that all of the animals can keep up. Now, lets go, and be grateful of one thing: it would have been incredibly difficult for the Dark One to send those trollocs south that attacked your home. The chances of them having any reinforcements is slim. At worst, we should only be facing one or two dozen, and we have already seen how effective an Aes Sedai can be against the forces of the Dark One." * * * Ami dwelt on that forecast of Moiraine's for three days of hard riding, telling herself that that even if the worst did occur, they would have a reasonable chance of fighting their way free. She was still dwelling on the numbers as the party charged off-road at a reckless pace, pursued by an estimated five hundred trollocs. No one knew how the Dark One and his servants had done it, but there was no disputing the evidence. Trolloc hunting horns rung from in front and behind on the road, and Lan's daring scouting forays had seen large formations of the beastmen advancing resolutely under the direction and close supervision of dozens of Myrdraal. Caught between unbeatable forces both in front and behind them on the Caemlyn Road, Moiraine had led them off the road, heading for a place she said that trollocs were afraid to visit. Given the size, strength and power of your average trolloc, Ami did not consider their fear to be a ringing endorsement of their destination. The blue haired girl was quite sure she could be afraid of anything that the trollocs could fear; in fact, she would probably be more afraid if it than the large, dumb creatures were. That fear would not stop her, nor would it stop any of the others around her. Rand, Matt and the large Perrin all sat their horses as though glued to them, and each one had their weapon loosened, as though ready to charge a mass of the evil infantry. Lan and Moiraine were just as inscrutable as ever, but every time Lan returned from one of his scouting missions, he had a few more cuts in his armour, and just a little more blood staining his clothes. With all the bumping around on the horses, and the constant need to duck branches, it was hard to tell what Thom and Nynaeve were thinking, but Ami spared them at least some of her concentration. Thom was there, a solid frown on his face, grey hair and long moustache flying in the wind. Unlike the boys, he knew the danger of what they were facing, and had a far greater respect for the dangers of both the trollocs and riding so fast over uneven terrain. Nonetheless, the gleeman kept pace with them, and showed no signs of even considering leaving their group, despite the high probability that he could escape unnoticed. Nynaeve rode with the consummate skill of a woman born in the saddle. Although she was not as much a horseman as Lan, her additional years over the other Two River's folk had imbued her with plenty of experience. Where Lan's horse Mandarb was a trained battle horse and was able to dodge pitfalls easily by itself while leaving him free to scan the trees for any trollocs, Nynaeve guided hers more personally, directing the horse around anything she thought looked potentially dangerous. Almost as soon as they had left the safety of the road, Ami had begun following Nynaeve; the trollocs might be after the three boys, but she did not fancy her horse taking a spill and finding out whether the trollocs would be satisfied with letting her go unharmed. Somehow, she did not think they would be amenable to that. Ami crested a rise just behind the others, almost running her horse into Nynaeve's, so quickly had the Wisdom's horse stopped. Once she managed to settle Sissy, the Senshi gathered her wits, then immediately wished she had not. Going by Lan's earlier definitions, what she must be seeing was two fists of trollocs, led by a strange, hooded man in black who sat in the middle of the formation. A fist of trollocs, Lan had informed them that morning as they fled through the trees, was a war band of a hundred of the creatures. That put two hundred of them in front, and at least another five hundred behind. "W-What do we do?" Neither Lan's nor Moiraine's faces showed any fear of hesitation, and they spoke almost as one in emotionless tones. "We charge." Lan's swords was out in a flash of silver, and he kicked his horse into a gallop down the hill's reverse slope to the call of "For the Seven Towers!" Others followed, most calling out their own battle cries. Hearing them, Ami wished for a moment she had the time to recount one of the Senshi's traditional speeches, but there was no time for it. In moments, she was down the hill, doing her best to stay beside Nynaeve in the middle of the horsemen's wedge. Moiraine and Lan led the way, one leaving cold steel death, the other delivering fire and lightning to any foolish enough to enter reach. Listening to the constant crash of swords and the scream and yell of fighting humans and beasts, Ami wished she could help. Her ice magic was incredibly powerful on this strange world, and she knew that if she had the time, she could easily erect a barrier of ice that would at least buy her beleaguered friends some breathing space. Unfortunately, the first trolloc horns had caught them by surprise earlier that day, and she had not yet had a chance to transform. Even worse, being astride a horse, Ami did not think she would be able to cast her Bubble Burst and retain her precarious balance. She had improved remarkably as a horseman over the time she had been here, but there was a big difference between being able to stay on a horse all day at a walk or cantor, compared to casting magic while galloping through a battle. Regardless of her own contribution - or lack thereof - the humans eventually burst through the trollocs, and immediately charged on down the field, putting some much needed distance between them and the beastmen. Looking backwards when the paused for a moment, Ami's brow creased in confusion. All of the trollocs were standing around, or even fighting amongst themselves. She knew armies usually got confused when they lost their leader - and Lan had been fighting the man in black earlier - but this was ridiculous. "Master Mondargoran, I fought trollocs for months before I came here, and they've never just stood around like this before. I mean... Surely they can see us here, why aren't they coming after us? Did Moiraine Sedai cast a spell on them?" "Ha! I'd be happy if she was powerful enough to beguile this many trollocs, but that is beyond the ability if any Aes Sedai. No, Girl, it was the halfman. A Myrddraal controls the trollocs with its mind, linking itself to them so that it can drive them forwards. When a Myrddraal dies, it transmits its death agonies to the trollocs, confusing and stunning them for a time. "If I had an army, I'd turn upon them and slay each last one of them, while they could not resist as a proper unit. But then, if I had an army, we would not be running now, would we? No, Girl, the best we can do is take advantage of their confusion, and put some distance between us before they recover." "Oh... Was that man you were fighting a Myrddraal? He seemed normal enough to me." Lan snorted. "Be glad you did not see him well enough to know better; it may have been the last sight you ever saw. No... A Myrddraal is no closer to human than a trolloc is, and is more a creature of the Dark One than a trolloc could ever hope to be. Simply to look into its eyeless face is enough to freeze a man in terror, and a single scratch from that black sword forged on the slopes of Shayol Ghul is enough to poison a man and doom him to an agonising death. Were the situation not so dire, even I would have shied from fighting it. I will die well satisfied if I can avoid taking on another Fade while outnumbered a hundred to one by it's trollocs. Some things in this world are best left to the gleeman's stories. Remember that, it will keep you alive longer." "Well, what do we do now then? Just keep riding?" Moiraine rode up next to them and shook her head in answer to Ami's question. "We will keep riding, but I intend to take advantage of the breathing space Lan has provided us. Without a Fade to guide them, trollocs are not the smartest creatures. However, they are also not foolish enough to try to cross a wall of flame unless they are forced to. I shall create just such a barrier, and that will buy us even more time. These trollocs will not attempt to advance until the ones pursuing us arrive, for surely they too are guided by Fades. "Perhaps we will be lucky, and gain ourselves even more time, but do not hold much hope to that. My weaving will not last long, not when it covers the great length that will be required. No, the best I can do is delay them, but that will be enough. Where we are bound, not even Fades will enter willingly." Taking her angreal from its small belt pouch, Moiraine looked at Ami. "This will not take me long, but when I am done, I will not be capable of much until I am rested. I know you cannot yet weave the One Power while riding yet, but until I have had a chance to gather myself, you and Lan will be our only defence against the Dark One's minions. Transform now, then remount. We shall be moving again shortly." When Moiraine Sedai said there was a hurry, she did not dawdle or mess around. By the time Ami had completed her transformation and seated herself upon Sissy once more, the Aes Sedai was complete and starting to slump in her saddle as Lan took his mistress' reigns. Behind them, where once a great formation of trollocs had stood, was now a wall of flame. To Ami's modern eyes it reminded her of scenes from the Gulf War, as though someone had dug a trench hundreds of meters long, then filled it with oil and set it alight. The occasional bestial scream or cry of anguish and frustration came from behind them, but that was all. So long as Moiraine's fire wall held, they were safe. Only a few more minutes of riding saw them break through the trees again, and revealed a sight that made even Ami and Thom gasp, let alone the untravelled farmers amongst their party. Revealed before them was a city, a city that would have swallowed Baerlon whole and not even noticed the difference. Massive towers of some unknown white stone stood glistening in the afternoon sun, each one taller than the tallest building in Baerlon. Some of them were so high, they would almost feel at home amongst the banking and financial towers of Akasaka back in Tokyo. For all its size and splendour, this was not a living city, nor had it been one for many years, possibly even centuries. Brilliant green plants played stunning counterpoint to the stark white of the buildings, and grasses poked their way through the tilled roads and paths at every opportunity. More than one building had crumbled into complete ruin, and a closer inspection showed that even the most intact structures had suffered damage from the rigors of time Entering the city, Lan allowed little time to dawdle, moving them deep into the city and then searching for a building that offered both concealment and defensiveness. As usual when they moved, Lan kept his eagle-sharp eyes open, constantly searching for threats. He did not think that the trollocs could have caught them yet, nor did he think that even Fades would have entered this particularly city, but that did not stop him from looking. He could be wrong on both counts, or even worse, the reason trollocs and Myrddraal feared to enter the city could make itself known. Once they had found their shelter for the night, curried the horses and set Moiraine up with a cup of hot tea - the first fire they had been allowed in days - Ami decided to ask the question that had been plaguing her since Moiraine and Lan had decided to shelter in the city. "Moiraine Sedai, why do you think we are safe here tonight?" "Safe? I would hardly go that far. All I expect out of this place is a chance to rest ourselves and our horses. Before the light goes down, I shall establish ward that will hide us from that which now dwells in Shadar Logoth. With that done, we should be able to remain hidden for the night, for no Fade has been born in the last thousand years that could force trollocs to enter this city. The Dark may be brutal, but they will remember forever the losses they suffered when they last forced entry here. "Once, before it became known as Shadar Logoth, this city was a great bastion against the Dark, during the War Of The Shadow. For that alone, the Dark One would remember, as he remembers Manetheron where those boys came from. At some point during the war a man entered the city, a man different from the other refugees they had taken in. After his arrival, the proud folk of the city began change. Fear fed upon hatred and despair until their was nothing else left but an evil of the same sort they had once tried to fight. "When forces of the Light finally managed to win through to the besieged city, they found it empty, deserted of every living creature. Realising that what now lived there was no longer human, the soldiers abandoned the city, and the Dark One's legions swarmed in. They held the city until nightfall, until at that time the evil miasma that was once the inhabitant's hatreds and fears rose and consumed them all. Not a single trolloc survived to tell the tale. Not that time, nor any other. The Dark One sent his forces in until even he was forced to admit there was no gain, and only death in the city. "Now do you understand why I believe we can rest the night here? With the wards I can create, I can mask us from the senses of Shadar Logoth, from the creature called Mashadar that now dwells here?" Ami nodded, thinking seriously on what Moiraine had said. From her description, it was just like Usagi had once commented in one of her more mature moments: Good must always fight Evil, but they have to fight it as Good, and never stoop to what Evil will accept. Because the moment that good people being to do evil things in the name of expediency, they become the very thing that they were fighting against. "Moiraine Sedai?" Ami began tentatively, as the woman began to work on their protection for the evening. "What is it, Child?" "If this Mashadar is really so dangerous, is it really safe for the boys to be wandering around?" "WHAT?" Instantly the building was a flurry of work and cursing. Nynaeve proved to have a very good grasp of invective, and an exceedingly low opinion of the boy's intelligence and gave herself free reign to call them every name she could think of. Thom, Egwene and Lan all jumped to their feet and prepared to go searching, but Lan held up one worn hand and halted them. "Just myself and the girl will go. The place is too dangerous for people to wander around unaware, and as much as I respect your ability with those knives, Gleeman, I would not see them doing much good against a creature made of fog." "Me?" Egwene's eyes were wide and nervous. Although she had volunteered, it was done in a fit of passion, and Lan's words reminded her of the fact that she could not even boast Thom's skill with his knives. "Of course not. Her." He pointed at Ami, who blinked at him in surprise. "If I'm to be walking through Shadar Logoth, I would rather do it with an Aes Sedai than anyone else. The girl might not have had Moiraine Sedai's training, but she might make the difference between being sensed or not." Pressing her lips together in determination Ami nodded, never having dropped her Senshi transformation. Saving people had always been the Senshi's role. This was just a new enemy. A new enemy that had defeated thousands of youma. Hundreds of Myrddraal. Even stalled the Dark One, Metallia himself. By the time Ami stood and was moving to the door, her lips were a thin white line, and her fists were clenched in fear. She much preferred to calmly discuss the dangers of a potential enemy while carefully concealed, and safe in the knowledge that they would never be found. Actually going out to face that enemy and rescue people from its very grasp was just slightly more intimidating. Once outside, Ami almost jumped out of her skin when Lan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Girl. You're so tense, the Gleeman could use you as a new string for his harp. That's good, take a couple of deep breaths." While Ami tried to calm herself by confirming the sun was still out, Lan lead them in a widening circle, looking for signs of the boy's passage. As they walked, he kept up a low mummer, seeking to reassure her. The noise was an extra risk, and not something that he would have considered had it been Moiraine at his side, but then his Aes Sedai was ten times the girl's age, and had vastly more experience. If she was too frightened to think or act, Ami would be more of a liability than an asset to him. But if he could get her calm and thinking again, he knew she could help him in ways that no one but an Aes Sedai could. "You have to remember, Mashadar is not a thinking creature anymore. It simply exists and reacts. It _is_ fear and hatred. If it senses you, then it will attack, and will continue to attack until it consumes you. But if you can avoid drawing it's attention, then you have nothing to fear. And while it is massive, said to be large enough to fill the whole city, it rarely rises out of the depths in which it lives. If you see it, speed, not aggression, will be the key to your safety." Ami was starting to relax more now. By the angles of the shadows, they still had at least an hour before it was dark. An hour of safety. Surely they could find the boys in under an hour. Stiffening slightly, Ami turned her head from side to side, listening for something that was just catching at the edge of her hearing. "What is it?" "I... I thought I heard voices. Over that way." Lan nodded, and led them down a converging street at a light jog. Giving her a slight wave, he urged Ami to stay slightly back. This should be the boys, he did not want to think of the implications of anyone else being here. Two blocks later when Lan's hearing could match Ami's Senshi boosted hearing, and he slowed to a walk. He did not understand the trolloc language, but he could certainly recognise its harsh, deep sounds. Exercising every technique he had learned over the years, Lan wrapped his chameleon-like cloak around himself and moved forward as stealthily as he could. Drifting like the wind, and making no more sound, Lan moved through the shattered remains of an open courtyard. Going around what had once been a small fountain, Lan began cursing mentally. There were trolloc. Only half a dozen in this group, but they were obviously just one patrol of what would undoubtedly be many. Trollocs were so afraid of Shadar Logoth that they would not voluntarily enter the city. Fades were equally afraid, and they were the ones that normally forced the trollocs to do what they did not want to. As he scurried back to where Ami was waiting, her warnings of the Forsaken Beryl and her Dreadlord "Generals" came to mind. Moiraine would need to know of this. As soon as he was far enough away to remain unheard, Lan began running. The inference that something greater than a Myrddraal was driving the trollocs was bad enough. The fact that trollocs were in the city destroyed all their plans, and they would need to leave as soon as possible. Without trollocs, they would have been able to hide behind Moiraine's wards. While the wards would stop Mashadar from detecting them, anything powerful enough to hide them from a trolloc's observation would draw the creature, rather than concealing them from it. Just as Lan arrived, Ami looked up at him from studying the small book- like object in her hand. She had an odd, transparent blue shield across her eyes, almost like the sort of mask that a lady might wear to a formal ball... except, even that did not quite describe what it was. In fact, it was more like someone had taken then metal eyepiece that was cut out of a full-faced pot helmet, and then given the cut-out to her. Oddly enough, he could almost swear that he saw strange yellow markings flashing across it. "Ah, Master Lan, I was going to try and find you. I've detected two groups of youma getting closer. They're about sixty meters that way." She pointed off to the side, near the direction Lan came from. "I found them also. Come, we must find the boys. We'll look to the north, if they went south, then the trollocs will have already found them, and there is nothing we can do to help them now." He paused a moment, and looked at her with a considering expression on his face. "I've seen you wear that mask before. When we were in Edmond's Field. Does it allow you to sense things?" "My visor?" Ami touched her right ear-ring, and the visor vanished. "No, it doesn't actually allow me to sense things, although it does act as a short range scanner. It's actually the Mercury computer. One of the programs that was built into when I first got it was the ability to scan for youma, what you call trollocs. I guess that the Silver Millennium needed it when the Dark One first got lose and caused the collapse of civilisation." Moving rapidly through the buildings, Lan's head moved this way and that, constantly searching for any tracks the boys might have left. "And it can sense Mashadar?" Mercury nodded. "Oh, yes. That was actually one of the problems I had when I first started scanning for trollocs when you went off. Mashadar showed up as a massive source of evil, sitting right under the city. I... It was really frightening, I've never seen so much evil gathered in the one place. But then I realised you were right, and it was not coming any closer. It was awake, but it was staying under the ground, so while we were up here, I knew we would be all right." "Only during daylight, girl. Only during daylight." "Oh... Well, after a while, I managed to set up a filter. Mashadar is evil, but it is different from the Dark One's power that twists the trollocs." Still running through that desolate city, the two of them came upon Rand, Perrin and Matt, all three of them gasping and talking over each other with strange stories of a man they had met, who led them into a shadowed building with promises of treasure. * * * Despite all that they hurried, things went downhill from them, descending into chaos and confusion as the night fell, and Mashadar arose. The small party made their way back to Moiraine with the dire warnings of the trollocs and the confused ramblings of the boys. While they prepared to flee the searching trollocs, Moiraine told them of the creation of Mashadar, and how it was said that some part of the original stranger who had spawned Mashadar in Shadar Logoth was still alive, and how he still hungered for their souls and escape from the city. On their horses once more, fleeing through streets lit only by the torches they carried and a moon that was but days from being full, the group ran straight into what they feared the most. As grey tendrils rose through the streets and out of the buildings - the only form Mashadar truly had - a party of trollocs came upon them. Amidst the madness and screaming, panic arose. Some people chose to stand and fight, others were forced to flee as their horses bolted, terrified by the aura of evil that they could feel. Ami was one of the unfortunate few among those whose horse ran. Sissy rolled her big eyes and immediately shot down a side street, the only place the horse could see that was not filled with foes. Unlike the horse, Ami could tell it was only a small patrol of trollocs, and she knew that Lan and Moiraine could have handled them alone, and together, the whole party could have defeated them at their leisure, then moved onwards. But now was not a time for reasonable thought, so she held tight to Sissy's mane and prayed, begging any gods that might be listening that she could survive and that the sturdy but none to bright animal would once again carry her out of trouble. Alone, and racing through the dark canyons between buildings, Ami led Sissy more by instinct than any real knowledge of the direction that she travelled. Just when she thought she was finally free, Sissy let out an ear-splitting scream, pitching her to the ground. Rolling several times, Ami eventually rose to one knee, despite the way that everything still seemed to spin around her. Sissy was in front of her, and the noble horse was by now half coated in the translucent grey tentacles of Mashadar. As she watched, another one as thick as a man's waist rose from the ground and looped around the horses neck, drawing yet another tortured scream from the animal. Closing her eyes to try and hold in the tears, Ami raised her hands and let fly a blast of her magic. Freezing poor Sissy was the least that she could do. The horse deserved the quick, painless death that she could offer, not the eternal suffering and torment that Moiraine told them would await within the body of the monster. Unfortunately, that act of generosity was something she could ill afford, one of Moiraine's lessons that Ami had forgotten in her distress: the use of the One Power attracted Mashadar like nothing else could. The first thing that she knew was a bumping sensation against her leg. Looking down, the blue haired Senshi was horrified to see a thin tendril of Mashadar wrapped around her boot, and another mass rising from the street in front of her, growing each second. The writhing mass ahead of her started out no more than the size of her head, but in just seconds it had grown to be three times her height, and almost as wide as the street. In just seconds more, it would turn on her, engulfing her fully. That one tentacle around her leg should have been enough to begin draining the soul from her body, enough to reduce her to a quivering mass of agony and despair. But what the tentacle encountered was not skin, nor was it a simple leather boot like was normally available in this time and place. Instead, what Mashadar encountered was the solid navy-blue material of her Senshi uniform's boot, the most resilient material that the One Power and the Silver Millennium could wrought. Stronger than iron, her uniform was protection against almost anything other than magic and it was capable of holding off even the evil might of Mashadar for a time. Yanking on the small tentacle holding her captive, Ami whimpered in fear. Ami knew all about how tentacle monsters treated Senshi - Makoto has been quite livid when she had showed the Senshi a manga she had found just a few months after they had started that depicted the girls in most embarrassing situations. Another pull freed her from the small tentacle around her leg, but that did nothing about the writing mass coming out of the street. Thrusting her hands out in front of her Sailor Mercury directed a mass of freezing ice at the segment of Mashadar. Coating half the width of the street, and all the way to the top of the nearest buildings, she froze the monster, panic lending strength to her already powerful attack. But while she had eliminated this one small part of the creature that dwelt under Shadar Logoth, her use of the One Power and the damage she had caused drew the creatures full attention. Turning and running down the street, Mercury tried to put as much distance between her and her doom as possible. Risking a quick glance over her should, she cried out and almost fell when she saw the waving, horrible mass of grey fog and tentacles that was Mashadar. It has come to where she had been, and was now filling the street to overflowing. It rose up out of gutters, cracks in the pavements and from the shadowed basements of buildings. Freed during the darkness of the night, its mass was covering buildings and completely overwhelming the iced in mass she had left behind her. Spying more of the creature ahead, Mercury turned on the toes of her leading foot as she ran. Instantly she was moving down a cross street, then over a low wall between what had once been houses. Even here, Mashadar grew, rising from the soil itself like some unearthly plant. She ran through the garden, praying that once again her boots would prove sufficient against the small lashing tendrils there, because she could already see more of the creature gathering itself out on the main street. Past the gardens she found an open space, what had once been a courtyard, or perhaps a plaza where merchants would have traded their goods. With no grey mass in sight for the moment, Mercury halted her mad flight. Bent over with her hands on her knees, the girl sucked in deep breaths, as grateful for the supporting magic of her Senshi transformation as she was of the recent exercise she had been forced to undertake on the ride with her friends. Looking around, the city seemed the same in all directions. Mercury was about to activate her visor and bring up a compass when she heard the sounds of water washing over rocks. It was only faint, and still some distance away, but it could only be the River Arinelle, one of the main watercourses from the mountains in the west that eventually fed down into River Manetherendrelle. According to the map she had seen, that was one of the largest rivers on the continent, with feed rivers like the Arinelle reaching all the way from Maradon in the borderlands down to Illian on the southern coast. Unfortunately, the geography lessons were not getting her any closer to the river, and by the sounds of it, there were still trollocs active in Shadar Logoth. At the thought of trollocs, Ami smiled. That was the one good thing about Mashadar; it hated the Dark One's minions as much as she did... If only it did not hate her equally. The first drifts of Mashadar's grey fog entering the plaza sent Mercury running in what she guessed was the north. The river sounds were getting louder when she spied a group of trollocs led by a Myrddraal. Before the Fade could stare at her and paralyse her with its fear- inducing gaze Sailor Mercury encased it in ice, catching the arm of an adjacent trolloc in the rock hard magic at the same time. The bellows of rage and hatred from in front of her only scared her slightly less than the soft whisper that was the telltale sign of Mashadar crossing the stones behind her. Fear lent her feet wings, and she ran off down a street perpendicular to the one she had been travelling. The trollocs followed briefly, but soon their bestial screams of anger turned to pain and despair. Not sparing a backwards glance, the Senshi ran on, turning through the streets this way and that until at last she burst out onto what had to have been a pier or loading dock area. The river lapped gently, right up to the stone edge, and the large hollow shells behind her could only have been warehouses of some sort. Hollow shells that were even now beginning to ooze grey mist as Mashadar followed her to the edge of its domain. Casting about, Mercury listed her options, desperately hoping to find someone else who had survived the death-trap the city had become. She could stay on this side of the river; now that she knew where it was, she was confident she could outrun the advances Mashadar made on her. She could cross the river; according to Moiraine, Mashadar was confined to the city that had birthed it. The swim was only a moderate distance and since she could make it easily as Ami, doing it as Sailor Mercury would be no effort at all. She was already sprinting for the edge of the docks to dive into the river to cross over when she noticed a third option: a boat on the river. She had initially rationalised that anyone that had survived Mashadar and the Dark One's minions would have crossed the river as the simplest and best defence against both of them. Now that she saw the boat, she revised that estimate. Not only was it a shorter swim, a boat would lead them half way to Caemlyn, the last major city on the road to Tar Valon. For that matter, even if she was alone on the boat, cruising the river to Whitebridge with a group of strange men would be less frightening that having to spend every day friendless, in the open, on a strange world without either food, water or shelter. Reaching the edge of the docks, Ami leaped as far as she could, gliding through the air with her hands pointed ahead, and her head down in a classic racing dive. Even as she shot through the air like a blue and white torpedo, she deactivated her transformation. The Senshi's uniform would have been far easier to swim in - especially since she now remembered she was actually wearing that nice, warm and very heavy cloak - but if she made it to the boat she did not want to explain either what a Sailor Senshi was, or why her travelling clothes were completely dry after a swim in the Arinelle. She landed in the water with a tremendous splash and immediately lost all forward momentum. Forcing her way to the surface she laboured to tread water as she pulled off first the heavy cloak, then the waterlogged travel dress Moiraine had provided her. Learning how to swim and survive when fully dressed was a standard part of any child's swimming lessons, but she did not believe any of her teachers would have expected her to jump into a cold river wearing enough fabric to make several sets of curtains. Ami bundled the precious garments, she did not delude herself that every man she would encounter between here and Tar Valon would be saintly enough to ignore the opportunities presented by a small, weak, lonesome foreign girl wearing nothing more than her underwear. Tying the cloak's drawstrings into a belt around her middle, she shivered from the cold, but was no longer in immediate danger of being dragged under and drowned. Kicking vigorously, Ami raised her head out of the water slightly so that she could see the boat. It had moved, but not much. The fact that people around here were still several hundred years from developing motors, and the rapidly rising sails meant that the boat would be dependant on what little wind existed to be able to escape her. There was not much wind out tonight, and both her and the boat would have the advantage of the current. It would be a tough swim, but she thought she could do it. Taking a deep breath, Ami leaned forwards and immediately settled into a comfortable, distance eating freestyle stroke. One, two, three, breath. One, two, three, breath. In many ways, it was like being in the pool at home, and she had certainly spent enough time there since swimming was her one love to rival studying. Hearing yells from the boat, she focused past the burning sensations developing in her arms and legs and pushed harder. The yells were louder now, and she could hear the faint slapping sound of water on the boat's hull. Moments later, her hand slapped into the rough wood, bringing a tired smile to her face. She might be soaked, chased by the forces of darkness and at risk of drowning in a cold river in the middle of the night, but she could still compute angles, speeds and trajectories in her head. Her first look at the boat had been enough to direct her perfectly. Her hands were so cold that it took her three tries to grab the coarse rope that had somehow appeared in the water around her. As she was pulled on board, she could dimly hear voices, some shouting, some talking, other whispering. In her cold exhausted state, she could grasp onto little more than the loudest of the voices, a man saying that he "would not be taking on any more strays or boarders, three were enough trouble." Moments later, Ami found herself collapsed and dripping on the deck of the small cargo ship as Thom wrapped a warm blanket around her then proceeded to rub some warmth back into her shoulders. "By the light, Girl! I've never seen anyone swim like that before. So fast! And to catch this ship like that. Not one man in a hundred could swim the distance you must have done." "I-I've always... Always been a g-good swimmer." Ami's teeth chattered, and a part of her mind whispered to her that it was just hypothermia, brought on by lack of sleep, exhaustion and exposure to the cold. Sometimes Ami wished she could be a trifle less analytical, and slightly more emotional. Leaning closer, Thom whispered in her ear as he continued to both warm and dry her. "This is Captain Domon. Rand, Matt and I got on his ship just down from the city, you must have seen us just after we set out. I've told him the two boys are my apprentices, but I do not think he will believe a girl apprenticing herself. Nor can we pass you off as one of the boy's sister. With that hair and your eyes, you don't resemble them at all, even if you do keep your mouth closed." Reaching out from under the blanket with one cold hand, she patted Thom's arm. "Just let me warm up, then I'll prove to him I'm your apprentice." Thom looked at her quizzically. "And how would you be planning on doing that?" "Do you remember the story you told in Edmond's Field? You called it the _Great Hunt For The Horn_." "Aye, I can remember that. The question is, do you?" Ami gave a weak little smile. "I'm told my memory is very good. I'm sure I cannot tell it anywhere near as well as you can, but I can remember all of the story you told just before lunch." "I'll trust you that it was the Great Hunt I told, I can no remember that now." Thom scratched his cheek and frowned as he thought, then eventually shrugged and stood up. Ami fell asleep soon after, and did not get a chance to hear Thom's haggling with the boat's master. Most importantly, next day when she awoke, it was in a small cabin, with one of Rand's longest shirts hanging behind the door. Pulling it on, she smiled; Rand was tall, even for someone of these lands. Since she was only a young Japanese girl - though she was not as short as Usagi - the shirt came to below her knees, forming quite a credible dress. Making her way up to the deck, she spied her dress and cloak - her last worldly possessions - flapping in the breeze, still dripping on the deck occasionally. Almost as soon as she paused to look around, she was confronted by a large, well muscled man wearing a frown on his face. "I see you are wearing the boy's shirt. With eyes like that, I'd taken you for one of the Sea Folk, but one of them would not bother with more than pants if they felt the sway of the deck under their feet." Ami blushed and looked away in embarrassment, but the man continued as though he did not notice. "I'd be Captain Byole Domon, and this is my ship, the Sea Spray. Your friend Thom Merrilin tells me that you're being another of his apprentices. A girl gleeman. Glee-girl perhaps? If you can show me you really are the Gleeman's apprentice, then I'll keep you on with them till Whitebridge. If not... I'll not take stowaways, so you'll be glad to know it is a shorter swim to the shore than it was for you to get to my ship last night." For a moment, Ami blinked in confusion until she remembered what Thom had told her when she first came on board. Oh, Lord! Why did she have to tell him that she could remember the story he had told back at Edmond's Field's Ben Tine festival? She could already feel the blood rushing to her face in a blush just thinking about repeating the story in front of people. Public speaking was not her favourite part of the curriculum. Placing his big hands about her waist, Domon effortlessly lifted Ami to the flat top of the main cabin. Other than the masts, it was the highest point on the ship, and not only could she see everyone, all the seamen could see her. Even as they continued their work, she could feel their eyes on her, and she knew that they were all listening. "Don't be shy, Girl. Let us hear these Gleeman tales of yours." Ami opened her mouth, and had barely gotten the first three sentences out when Thom spoke to her gruffly from behind. "Come on, Lass. I've told you a hundred times: if you want to be heard in a common room, you'll have to speak louder than that. We're on the river now, so just let it out. No one will hear you but these men, and after weeks on a ship, they'll be the best audience you'll ever get. Now start again." Clearing her throat once more, Ami started from the top. Her accent was bad and quite pronounced. She had little or no intonation, and no sense of dramatic timing at all, but she did know the story. Word for word, in the High Chant used by the better Gleemen and court bards across the land, she wove her way through one of the multitudes of stories revolving around the Great Hunt for the Horn of Valere. By the time she was finished, Domon had been forced to chase his men back to their work on several occasions. They had all heard the story before - it was a common favourite at any number of inns - but hearing it again was always good, and while Ami's voice was now loud enough to hear, her accent made it hard to follow unless they concentrated on her words. When the story wound down the was a scattering of applause, coming strongest from Thom and Bayle. "If you could just speak clearer, Girl, I'd say you have a future ahead of you. I've heard more Gleemen than I care to remember that could not have done that story in High Chant." Thom ruffled her hair and spoke to the captain, although he smiled at Ami. "It's more than just knowing the words, although I'll admit she does have a knack for it. When we stop for the night, I'll let you hear how a real Gleeman tells that tale, then perhaps you'll know why she's the apprentice, and I'm the teacher." * * * The first day on the ship passed quickly and easily. Sailing down the deserted river, it was easy to imagine that they were alone in the world, especially with Thom taking their alleged apprenticeship seriously and trying to teach them all some of the Gleeman's tricks. As night fell, Bayle ordered the boat pulled to the shore, concerned about the risks inherent to travelling at night. Although the Spay had a shallow draft, the possibility of a sandbar or partially sunken tree trunk was enough to require alert eyes watching their course, and those eyes needed daylight to see. While the sailor set about dropping anchor and seeing if there was any hunting they could do in the fading light, Ami watched the trees and scrub along the bank with Matt and Rand. The same thoughts were on both the boy's minds, but it was Rand that spoke first, but still quietly enough so that no one else could hear them. "We've been followed by trollocs so often, I'm not sure I feel safe with out Moiraine or Lan around. Burn me if I want to be involved in Aes Sedai schemes, but it's hard to deny what's happened." Taking a look around, Ami leaned even closer to the boys. "I'm not trained like Moiraine Sedai was, and I don't think my scanners have the range that she or Master Lan could sense the Dark One's forces at, but I can set my computer to scan for evil in the area. That should work to tell us if they are getting close." "You could?! By the light! That would be good. But..." Matt looked hesitant for a moment. He did not feel comfortable asking this young girl to stand watch for them, it felt too much like abusing his little sister. "But would you have to be awake all night?" "Oh no, I'll just set it with an alarm. It can wake me as soon as it detects someone, and then I'll wake everyone else." "That's great then." "Yes, but the only problem is, I'll need to stay as Sailor Mercury to do it. I wouldn't mind, but I would rather not have to explain to Captain Domon what is really going on, now that he believes we are learning from Master Thom." Rand nodded towards the hatch. "Perhaps you could stay in the cabin. It won't be as nice as being under cover on deck, but you would have some privacy." "Actually, I'd assumed you'd be staying down there anyway. I'm not sure I like the looks of that Gelb guy, but I'm fairly certain he likes your looks." Matt was tactless, but no less accurate. Looking slightly repulsed by the thought of the overweight, unwashed fisherman casting eyes in her direction, Ami turned to the hatch. "Well, I might as well do a quick scan now. It will only be good for a hundred meters or so, but it might make it easier to eat dinner if we know we are not being watched from the bushes." The boys followed her downstairs and waited outside the cabin door while she changed. It was bad enough looking at her when she wore that tiny, tight outfit that she called a sailor suit, but by now both boys had seen her transformation, and knew that it was not right and fitting for a man to see, not unless he was married to the girl at any rate. Almost the same instant that the light finished flaring under the doorway, the was a muffled yelp. "Rand! Matt! Come in! Quick!" Bursting in, Rand had his hand on his sword's pommel, and Matt was sliding a hand under his jacket. If the trollocs were upon them already, they would sell themselves dearly. However, as they advanced, Sailor Mercury backed up, fear written across her face. "What is it? What's going on?" "Mashadar! Somehow it's followed us. I can sense the evil and it's in the room with us." Suddenly, as though it was on fire, Matt whipped his hand out of his coat and locked them both behind his back. Looking around the room, he hoped that no one could see the embarrassed flush that was creeping up his neck. His pretence at innocence did him no good as Mercury oriented on him in only seconds then advanced to arms reach, looking him up and down through her blue tinted visor. Reaching out, the small girl with the stern face brushed aside the front flap of his coat to reveal a high quality sheath and silvered hilt, topped off with a ruby the side of a grown man's thumb. Worried that he would lose his new treasure, Matt reached out for it, but he did not count on just how fast, or how strong the small girl's arms were now that they were reinforced by the weaves of the One Power the Silver Millennium had placed into the Sailor Suit. Mercury kept the boy at bay as easily as though their sizes were reversed, and she was the one that towered over him. Holding the knife by just the very tip of the ruby, and only touching it with thumb and forefinger, she let it drop to the floor with a sigh. "I thought you told Moiraine Sedai that Mordeth had not given you anything?" Mordeth was the man that had lead to the downfall of Shadar Logoth, and the formation of Mashadar. He was also the man whose apparition the boys had seen when they went exploring. Legend had it that if he could convince you to lead him beyond the city walls, Mashadar would be freed to roam the lands. "He didn't give it to me! I took it when he wasn't looking." "Oh, Matt..." Ami trailed off sorrowfully, but Rand was not quite so kind, smacking Matt on the back of the head. "You idiot! How could you bring that thing?" "Burn me, Rand, look at it! That ruby alone would be worth more than either of our farms in Edmond's Field. I don't want to sell it, but we could ride to Tar Valon like kings if we needed to with the money we could get." Concentrating on the report coming from her mini-computer and the scrolling display on her visor, Mercury listened with only half an ear. "I don't think you would have made it to Tar Valon carrying this, Matt. You might not even have made it to Whitebridge. It's stopped now, but while you were holding it... It was leaching your soul out, Matt. Leaching it out and replacing it with its own evil. If you'd held it long enough... If you'd held it long enough you would have become just like Mashadar." "Y-You mean... I'd become evil and filled with hatred?" "No, I mean you would be drained away until nothing remained but a grey mist, the evil remnant of your soul. From that day forth, the Matt we know would be dead, and you would feed off everyone around you just like Mashadar tried to do. Starting with the people closest to you." She looked meaningfully from Matt to Rand, causing both boys to swallow. They clearly understood, because of their dire circumstances, Matt would have doomed his best friend as well. "Well, let's just throw it in the river then! No knife is worth losing my soul for, not even one with a ruby that big." "No, wait!" Mercury reached out and caught Matt's hand before it could reach the dagger. "We can't. It's simply too dangerous to dump in the river. What if it washed up, and someone else found it? We could be responsible for thousands of deaths! Just imagine Mashadar freed to roam across the plains. Out here, it could go from town to town, and no one would know about it until it was too large to stop, just like the original Mashadar in Shadar Logoth." "What are we going to do then? Burn me, I know I was stupid taking it out of the city, but even I'm not dumb enough to go back there and try to return it, and I'm sure I'm not going to be carrying it around with me." "I'm not sure... Just let me think for a moment." The three stood in silence for a while, the two boys wishing that Moiraine was still there. They knew she would give them the harsh side of her tongue, but even that would be worth it to have her get rid of the dagger. Despite the fact that the boys had an almost instinctual distrust of the Aes Sedai indoctrinated into them by the village tales, neither of them doubted for a second that the woman would know what to do. "I think I have an idea," Ami began, walking around the sheathed knife to a better angle. "We know that magic can hurt Mashadar, that is, I mean that the One Power can. If I could channel fire like Sailor Mars could, I suspect I would be able to simply convert it all into a uniform plasma. Surely that should also destroy the evil inside it. But I'm not Mars and don't have time to learn how to channel Fire, so that idea is out. Similarly channelling Spirit like Sailor Moon, and purifying the evil. "On the other hand, we're all on our way to Tar Valon, and that city should be filled with people that can channel the One Power, so all we really have to do is get it to them safely. It follows logically that if the One Power can destroy the evil, it should also be able to contain it. If we take that premise, then something made from the One Power should also be able to hold the evil at bay. Something like my ice, and that is something I can produce." Putting her hands in front of her - wrists together, fingers spread apart - Mercury concentrated on her Bubbles Blast attack. Back on her home world, all it produced was a spray of fog, here it could produce a massive quantity of near-absolute zero ice. The difference was all in the power of the attack; quite literally, how much of the One Power she channelled. Moiraine had not been able to spare much time to teach Mercury about channelling the One Power, her efforts were more focused on Egwene whom she said was in more urgent need. Nonetheless, Mercury had spent more time using her powers in the last two weeks than the proceeding two months at home, and she had gained some insight into how they worked. Scowling fiercely at the dagger, Mercury reached within herself and pulled forth the magic that she used. Rather than letting it gush forth from her palms in the uncontrolled torrent she normally did, this time she metaphorically squeezed down, reducing the flow of the One Power from a flood to a trickle. Despite her best efforts, the short instant that she channelled caused a block of ice to form around the dagger that at least half a meter long, and must have weighed at least twenty kilos (44 pound). Sighing with the effort, Mercury ran a white glove across her forehead, then touched the blue stud in her ear to bring her visor out again. Scanning the encased dagger, she gave a relieved smile. She could still detect the evil, but it barely registered on her scanners. Even if she was forced to carry the block of ice the length of the continent, the most effect the dagger would have on her would be to make her very grumpy. Through that much magically generated ice, it had no chance of stealing anyone's soul. "That's it?" Matt asked anxiously. "It is, until the ice heats up and starts to melt. We'll have to wrap it in a blanket to carry, since ice that cold will freeze the skin from your fingers, and I'll have to recast it every few days... But my computer says we should be fine." She proffered them a smile, then shimmered and changed back into her normal clothes. "Come on, let's get dinner. I'm terribly hungry." "But... What about checking for trollocs?" Rand was genuinely bewildered. Even in the little time he had known her, he could not remember Ami forgetting something once she had been told, no matter what excitement they faced. "Oh, I did that as soon as I transformed. There weren't any around; only the dagger showed up on my scanners. The Mercury Computer is very powerful; it hardly needs any time to scan for the Dark Kingdom's energy." That evening as they sat around with the sailors for dinner, first Thom, then each of his apprentices gave a demonstration of their skills. The boy's juggling skills were still little more than a novice's level, and they garnered more laughs from their dropped balls than from their complex patterns. In the aftermath of discovering the danger associated with the dagger from Shadar Logoth, the men's laughter was more of a relief than the torment it might have been. Ami may have hoped she would escape the humiliation, but Thom had special plans for her. She started to tell a new story that he had taught her that day, but every second sentence the master Gleeman would interrupt her and tell her how to say it properly. In no time, the men were once again laughing. First at Thom's over-acted antics and the theatrics he used to convey the story's emotion, then immediately afterwards as the naturally shy girl tried - and failed - to imitate his flamboyant nature. By the time the long extended dinner was over, everyone was feeling much more relaxed, even Captain Domon. His ease did not stop him from setting a rotating guard on the Spray throughout the night. Just like the boys, although the would not admit it to anyone else, Domon was convinced that trollocs were chasing him down. Their arrival at the boat the night before on the heels of the travellers was taken as coincidence by Domon, who was convinced that he had been targeted by a Darkfriend for some unknown reason. Retiring to her cabin, Ami slid the bolt on the door then transformed. Alone in the dark, she set up the Mercury Computer to scan for any approaching Dark Kingdom energy, the same energy that went into the power and corruption that formed trollocs and Myrddraal. Pausing for a moment before she went to bed, Mercury's hands hovered over the small keyboard before typing out a set of commands. She knew that the computer possessed a large quantity of information - it was a requirement for the sorts of analyses it had proven able to do for the Senshi in the past - but she did not know how much was in there. The events earlier that evening had shown her just how limited her own knowledge of the One Power was. The Silver Millennium obviously knew a lot more than she did since they had crafted her suit and gave her the ice magic that she used. If she could find some more information in the computer, perhaps she could begin to teach herself. A short while later, a knock came to her door, bringing her head up and around to stare at it in surprise. She had been so engrossed in what she was reading that she had not noticed anyone approaching. "Who is it?" "It's Rand. The captain wanted to know if you were going to get up for a hot drink before we leave. They're going to be dousing the fire shortly so that we can be underway." "Leave?" Mercury dropped her transformation then opened the door. "What time is it? Did something happen? I thought Captain Domon did not like travelling at night." Rand looked at her in confusion. "At night? It's well past sunrise. You don't usually sleep that soundly... are you sure the dagger is not affecting you?" "Sleep? But I just..." Ami blushed a deep red from the roots of her hair all the way down to the neckline of her dress. "I... I discovered that the Mercury Computer actually has a comprehensive encyclopaedia in it and I started reading. I guess... I guess I lost track of time." The tall boy let out a loud laugh and shook his head. He normally stood almost half a meter taller than her (a foot and a half), but the way she was withdrawing into herself, he seemed to tower over her even more. "I can't believe you read all night! I like a book as much as the next person, but even I will fall asleep reading readily enough." Trying to muster what little dignity she had, Ami raised her head again but turned away and refused to meet his eyes. "It's a habit I got into at home. I'd often study all through the evening, and my mother would have to tell me to go to bed when she came home..." Seeing how Ami was no longer blushing or embarrassed, but instead was rapidly moving into sadness as she realised that she would never see her mother again, Rand placed a hand on her shoulder. He often wished that he had Matt's smooth way with women, but Ami was only slightly more than half his age and acted more like a respectful little sister than a pushy woman who believed you were no more capable of thinking than the average sheep, like Egwene or Nynaeve usually did. "Come on. Let' get you a drink, and you'll feel better. Maybe you can tell me some of what you were reading." "Actually, I was mainly reading some of the history of the Moon Kingdom. I think they were similar in many ways to your Age Of Legends, but if the little Thom or Moiraine Sedai has said is accurate, then the Silver Millennium was significantly more advanced. Perhaps I should start off by trying to explain what out solar system was like..." Glad for the distraction, Ami gratefully talked for the next hour until Thom called them for their lessons again. Today he was introducing them to the flute, and again Ami wished that she had the talents of some of her fellow Senshi. Both Rei and Minako were excellent singers, and Minako could probably play an instrument perfectly. She had not heard the girl play before, but she had perfect pitch and the physical coordination of an athlete. Who was Ami kidding? Minako wanted to be an idol some day; she probably already knew how to play an instrument or two just for the musical experience. * * * Despite how hard Bayle Domon pushed the men of the Sea Spray, it still took them ten days to reach Whitebridge. During that time, Ami learned more of the Gleeman's stories, Rand exhibited a talent for the flute, and Matt proved competent at juggling. All told, if the three of them kept practicing for another year or two, they might add up to be half as good as Thom. Whitebridge was THE major trading town on the River Manethendrelle, with the exception of Illian down at the mouth of the river, and Illian was also the capital of the country of the same name. As a consequence, the city of Whitebridge was enough to captivate the attention of both the boys and Ami. Although Whitebridge was tiny in comparison to her native Tokyo, it was still an impressive site after being in what had appeared to her as mostly deserted country. Docks sprawled out in profusion both north and south of the bridge itself, ranging in quality from rickety wooden efforts to the occasional solid stone pier. The quality of the workmanship seemed directly proportional to the distance from the bridge itself; the closer you were to the passing trade, the older the dock, and the more money would have been spent upgrading it over time. Rising up on the land east and west of the river, a wide assortment of houses and buildings could be seen, most throwing up small plumes of smoke as fires inside fought to keep the late winter's cold at bay. Despite the fact that the city of Whitebridge was significantly larger than Baerlon, and many times the size of Edmond's Field, it was not the town, but the bridge that it was named for that garnered the most attention. Whitebridge was exactly what the name implied: a bridge made of a uniform white substance. The Spray docked close enough to the bridge that they could see it easily, and it was an impressive piece of work. A standard arch bridge design, it crossed the river with only a couple of support pylons, which was an impressive feat, even compared to the technology of the twenty first century that Ami was accustomed to. Being a Tokyo resident, she had walked across the Rainbow Bridge, that massive construction that crossed Tokyo Bay. At 918 metres, the Rainbow Bridge dwarfed the Whitebridge, which would have only been 500 metres wide at most, even including the parts over the land. But the Rainbow Bridge was a suspension bridge, allowing untold hundreds of cables to share the weight of the roadbase. Whitebridge did not have the advantage of cabling, or even a raised arch like Sydney's Harbour Bridge. All its support was derived from the roadbase itself, and that implied a level of technology far beyond anything else she had seen in the world. Staring at the bridge, Ami felt herself being pulled along by Rand, with Matt holding a bulky cloak that concealed the block of ice containing the deadly dagger. "The bridge..." "I know. Captain Domon said that it was from the Age Of Legends. It's supposed to be completely unbreakable." Ami stared longingly at it for a few more moments, desperately wishing she could change into Sailor Mercury and scan the strange white material that it was made from. After stumbling and nearly falling face first into the muddy road, Ami turned her mind back onto what they were doing, and where they were going. After just a short walk, the wandered into an inn, took a seat beyond a partition, and in no time the inn keeper delivered mugs of ales for each of them. Rolling her eyes, Ami knew she should not criticise them, but for heaven's sake! They had a scientific marvel like Whitebridge sitting outside, and the first thing they wanted was a drink? She knew that the men had not had anything to drink since they had left Baerlon over two weeks ago, but didn't they have any curiosity? Then again, from her medical studies and visits to the hospital where her mother worked, she knew quite a few young doctors and interns around the age of Rand and Matt, and she was forced to admit most of them would probably keel over from shock if they were forced to go without a drink for one night, rather than two whole weeks. Giving a sigh, Ami pushed her mug of ale over to Matt. "Here. You probably need this more than I do." Matt eyed her oddly before remembering that she only drank tea, then took her mug without refusing it. For a moment, Rand gave him a jealous look, but all their attention was captured when Thom began asking the inn keeper about Moiraine and their other lost companions. Although Thom tried to be as subtle as possible - difficult to do when you need to describe who you are looking for - the inn keeper reacted quickly to what was being said. Apparently they were not the only one looking for Moiraine, and all three men with her fit descriptions the inn keeper provided. Descriptions given to him first by a half-crazed vagabond, then by a terrifying man in black, a man whose constantly hooded features could never be seen, and could only be a Fade. Having been rushed out of the inn by its owner who feared the man in black would return, the four stood outside and conferred on what to do. There was little that could be done to hide Rand's height or Ami's shortness, but Thom quickly found a stall that sold him a new cloak rather than his obvious brightly-patched Gleeman's cloak. He also gave Ami a dark shawl, which why it did not to hide her exotic features if someone looked closely, at least it hid her unusually short haircut and the blue colouring of her hair. With Rand hunched over he looked like a tall man obviously trying to hide his height, but at least he no longer stood out head and shoulders above most of the crowd. They had gone all of two blocks towards the bridge when the street suddenly cleared in front of them. There stood a man dressed all in black, his hood pulled up to cover his face. His clothes hung from him, never moving even in the wind that slid between the buildings. Although his hood was down, they could feel his gaze drift across them, chilling the blood in their veins and rooting them to where they stood. The Myrddraal spoke not a word, simply walking towards them with a confident, ground eating pace. Paralysing them with fear, it did not need to rush. It knew no fear for itself, confident that it could walk straight up to the in broad daylight in the middle of a city, the Dark One's creature could almost vanish into the shadows if it so wished. It was more than halfway to them when Thom broke the grip of terror and shoved his bundled cloak containing his flute and harp at Rand. "Run. RUN! Don't stop running until you get to the Queen's Blessing in Caemlyn!" With that, he moved, knives appearing from his sleeves as if by magic. His sudden action distracted the Fade, and the spell was broken, prompting the boys into a panic that was just as real as the fear the Fade had caused. Holding Thom's things under one arm, Rand grabbed Ami's wrist and pulled her in the direction of the Whitebridge. Off to the side they ran, their highest priority getting away from the Fade, and Matt was with them, cursing softly and continuously under his breath. They had not gone more than the length of a few buildings when Ami suddenly jerked her arm free and turned back to look from where they had come. Rand skidded to a stop just beyond her, bouncing from foot to foot as though anxious to pull her along with him once more. "Come on, Ami! Burn me, that thing might be right behind us. It doesn't want Thom, it wants us, we have to get out of here." "You go. I can't run. I don't care if it is a trolloc, a Fade, a Dreadlord or the Dark One himself. I am one of the Sailor Senshi, and I will not run from battle when someone needs my help! MERCURY PRISM POWER! MAKE UP!" There, in the middle of the street and in view of dozens of people, Ami Mizuno transformed into the pretty soldier, Sailor Mercury. Streams of water gushed around her as she pirouetted and drew in the connection between herself and the One Power. Back on Earth there had been a feeling of power and strength associated with the transformation, but on this world - whatever it was called - that was multiplied manifold. She might not have the training of a full Aes Sedai, but for the time being, Ami felt as though she had the power to wage battle directly against the Dark One himself. Sprinting down the street at speeds even an Olympic sprinter would envy, she left the parcel laden boys behind. She hoped that they were continuing to flee, but she could not leave Thom there to face the Myrddraal alone. She told herself that it was the creature's magical fear that had caused her to run, but in truth that was no excuse. Of all of them, she was the only one equipped to fight a minion of the Dark One, and she was the only one with the duty, the obligation to do so. Usagi would never run from battle, she told herself, a scowl adorning her features as she drew close to her destination. Usagi might run around _during_ a battle, but she would not run _from_ the battle. Re-emerging at the crossroad that they had fled from, Ami was just in time to see the Fade deliver a sickening kick to the side of Thom's knee, sending the man to the ground in a howl of pain. The creature had drawn its sword, but that had only been to block Thom's blades with; it would not even dignify him as an opponent by attacking him with that poisoned, cursed weapon. "You there! Hold, in the name of the Light! I am Sailor Mercury, and I shall defeat all servants of the Dark One, no matter where they may be!" The Fade looked up at her, and for a moment she felt its horrible gaze wash across her, but then it was gone. The protective magic of her transformation helped protect her from the artificial fear it could induce, but the transformation did nothing to dampen the churning in her stomach at the thought of facing the creature head on. This close to Thom and with other people still nearby, she could hardly use her magic, since the ice would be just as deadly to a person as it would be to the Fade. Lifting its sword, the Myrddraal pushed back its hood with one hand, exposing its face for all the world to see. Shaped like an other face, the Myrddraal had a mouth and nose, but in a hideous mockery of humanity, it did not possess any eyes. How it saw, or why she felt the weight of its gaze, she could not say, but that head tracked her unerringly as she edged to the side of the street. "You are a new one. My Master has warned me that the was an Aes Sedai with the boys, but you are not the one he spoke of. I do not know who you are, but soon you shall be no more." The voice was terrible, like nails down a blackboard. It clawed through your soul as it spoke, and Ami understood perfectly why the inn keeper had been so keen for them to leave. If someone like this had spoken to her, she would have done anything to avoid a repeat of the experience. When the Myrddraal dashed forwards, Mercury leapt to the side, avoiding the overhead swing of its ebon blade. Grabbing a piece of timbre that was leaning against the side of the building, she rose to her feet and met the Fade as it swung back at her. The dark sword cut through the lumber like it was no more than the air, and only Mercury's off balance saved her life. While she reeled backwards, the sword slashed only centimetres from her face. It still may have hit, but over a foot of wood had been separated by the Fade's swing, and that flew onwards to strike the creature full in the face, giving pause for the moment Ami needed to keep her head attached to her shoulders. Scrambling backwards, Ami rolled to the side as the sword descended, then turned and put a little distance between them before turning back. The Fade was smiling now, confident in its supremacy. It could feel that the girl was an Aes Sedai, the Dark One's creatures could feel the presence of the ones they hated if they were channelling even half as much Saidar as this girl was currently doing. It knew she was powerful, and normally that would have given it pause, but Mercury had not attacked, and the Myrddraal was beginning to believe she could not. No Aes Sedai would fight a Fade barehanded if they had any option at all, which meant that this one must just be an exceptionally gifted natural channeller, without any of the training to put that power to use. Grinning wickedly, the Fade advanced on her step for step as she backed away. The boy may have gotten away, but its Master would not be displeased if it prevented one such as this from becoming a full Aes Sedai. Besides, once it had finished with the girl, it would be able to follow them to Caemlyn. Even if it did not catch them on the road, it had heard the Gleeman say where they would be meeting, and that would be enough to ensure their doom. Losing patience with the slow game of cat and mouse, the Fade sped up, stalking forwards now to eliminate her and get on with its job. Mercury took only two more steps back in a fear that was only half feigned before bringing her hands up to her chest and smiling victoriously. Small droplets of water began to stream in towards her as her channelling manifested such power that it was visible to even the uneducated, unskilled eye. Just before the Fade reached a sword's length away, Sailor Mercury thrust out her hands, calling the name of her attack. "MERCURY BUBBLES BURST!" With a rush like a fire hose, then a crackle like a shattering iceberg, her devastating ice formed. Eight metres wide, it almost closed of the street, and she could see that it would have travelled that far back. Most importantly, Thom was safely outside its range by almost five metres, still lying on the street in pain from where he had been watching the fight in fear for the young girl's life. Taking another look at the Fade, Ami gulped, swallowing down bile as she realised just how close she had cut it. The Fade's arm was drawn back for the lunge that would have ended her life, and the tip of its sword was less than ten centimetres (four inches) from the edge of the ice. Another half second would have seen her hands impaled at the least, and she did not think her Senshi powers would be proof against whatever poison that weapon of darkness carried. Edging around the massive block of ice, Mercury was almost back to Thom before she found what she was after. Two or three swift blows from her enhanced muscles knocked free a small outcropping of the magical ice, a chunk no more than twenty centimetres long; just right for acting as an ice pack for a wounded man. Skipping closer to Thom, she kneeled down beside him and activated her visor before ripping open his pants from mid-thigh to mid-calf. While she scanned his knee, the wounded Gleeman looked at her with a new respect. "You came back... You should have just run with them, Ami." "I couldn't do that, Thom. I'm one of the Sailor Senshi." She paused as though that explained everything. For her it did, but perhaps he would need more of an explanation. "I'm sworn to defeat evil wherever I find it and to protect people against creatures like this. It doesn't matter whether I'm home with my friends and my princess beside me, or whether I am all alone on a strange world. Being a Senshi is something I carry with me all the time, and the fight for love and justice means I can never run from a battle like this. Especially if it means abandoning a friend." "Thank you. I don't think the Fade would have killed me, it wanted to get after the boys, but I'm more than glad that you came. Thank you." Thom spoke solemnly, then shifted his weight and tried to stand up, hissing when he bent his knee. Putting a hand on his shoulder, Ami kept him on the ground, but helped him sit up with his wounded leg out straight. "You've dislocated your knee. You can see it, here, see how the kneecap has actually slid around to the side of the leg?" "See it? I can bloody feel it!" "Thom..." Mercury looked at him until he met her eyes. "This is going to hurt... a lot..." "What are you--- AAARGHH!" In one swift movement, Ami pushed the bruised and dislodged cartridge back into position, settling it into the right spot with a audible popping sound that made her stomach lurch. As Thom panted and gasped, trying to regain his stolen breath, Ami rose to her feet. "I'm truly sorry for that, Thom, I really am, but I had to do it. The sooner the kneecap was back in position, the sooner it could begin to heal. Now just sit there for a minute while I find something I can use as a splint." People were coming out of hiding by the time Ami was back to Thom, and she bound several long strips of wood to either side of his leg in a fast and efficient manner. "Your knee is going to hurt very badly for the next few days, maybe even for weeks. I... The Mercury Computer can give me a good image of what's wrong with the knee, but I was still only studying Pre-Med... I'm not a real doctor, Thom. I can't actually tell you whether you will recover fully." Cursing softly under his breath, Thom started to lever himself upright again, but he had barely started when Ami once again put a hand on his shoulder. For a small girl, she could exert a strong influence when she needed to, not that Thom was in any state to struggle against her. "You can't walk, Thom! You have to stay off that leg for at least a week! Probably two or three. If you don't, it will never get better." Gesturing at the growing crowd, Thom looked up at her. "I can't stay here all day. We might be in Andor, but even the Queen's Guards will be asking some might hard questions of anyone fighting a Fade in the middle of the street. I have to walk, Child, otherwise we will both end up being long term guests of Her Majesty." With a look of concentration on her face, Sailor Mercury walked around the injured man, so that his bound leg was the one furthest from her. "This is still probably going to hurt, Thom, but it's the best I can do. Oh, and wrap that ice in your cloak and hold it against your knee. The cold will help keep the swelling down, and should make it feel a little better." "Aye, well it couldn't make it feel any worse." With a hiss of 'blood and ashes' as he was lifted into the air, Thom did as he was told. They must have looked an odd sight, the pair of them. A young girl wearing an indecently short skirt and impossibly tight white bodysuit carrying a many old enough to be her grandfather, and half again her height. Despite the size difference and the high heels she wore, she still managed to make a decent run, dashing between the onlookers and leaving them all behind. It did not take long for the exertion of running with all that extra weight to take its toll, but while she was puffing like a steam train, she did not let up until they were on the bridge proper, with all the people a decent distance behind her. Gently, she placed Thom on the bridge, then collapsed to her knees next to him. "Just... Just let me catch my breath, then we'll be on our way again." She almost had her breathing under control again when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up, she caught the serious look of Thom Merrilin, his grey hairs adding an air of authority that seemed out of place on the face that was more likely to be smiling and laughing that as serious as it currently was. "Ami... Thank you again. You didn't have to come back for me, but you did. That means a lot to me, and I'll not forget it." Blushing deeply, Ami looked away, always ill at ease accepting praise. Searching for a way to change the subject, she suddenly realised where she was, and linked that with the fact that she was transformed. Pressing the stud in her ear again, Ami brought out her visor and computer once more, directing the scanners at the material of the bridge. "As soon as I saw the Whitebridge from the Sea Spray, I just knew I had to find a way to scan it. If this was something from your Age Of Legends, then perhaps the Silver Millennium would have something similar and then I could... Ah, here we go... Hmm, it seems that the bridge is made out of a compound commercially called 'Polysili'. By the end of the Moon Kingdom it was almost completely out of use, replaced by 'Crystal', but the computer still has files on it. Let's see... Ahh, molecularly aligned doped silicon, almost identical to diamond in hardness, but more easily worked, and a greater sheer strength due to the doping. Isn't that interesting?" She favoured him with a smile, which he returned in a half-hearted way due to the pain. "If you're up to it, we should probably keep moving. We can't afford to wait too long." Giving a firm nod, Mercury released her computer to storage, then stood once more with Thom in her arms. "I'll go slower this time. It should be more comfortable, and I can keep it up longer... I hope we meet up with Matt and Rand soon. With a bit of help, I should be able to make you some crutches." With that remark, they were off, heading down the road on the next leg of their journey to Tar Valon. While Mercury was willing to assist Thom all the way there if necessary, she was indescribably glad to see Matt and Rand when the boys came out of hiding behind some trees only an hour or so out of Whitebridge. Seeing Thom's predicament and Ami's rapidly increasing tiredness, the gladly took the man between them and helped them to a hidden glen they had found while waiting. Admittedly, they were still close to Whitebridge, but all four were confident that with the Fade dead they would be free of immediate pursuit by the Dark One. As the sun rose the next day and all of them were still breathing and free of the Dark One's clutches, they decided they must have been right. Thom's leg was not fit to walk on yet, and it had stiffened up greatly during the night, but being able to rest it straight away would go a long way towards healing it in the future. Setting out to the east, Thom alternated between leaning on either Rand or Matt's shoulders. Ami felt guilty that she could not help, but she was simply too short for Thom to lean on her, and she could not possibly carry him the entire distance to Caemlyn or Tar Valon without taking a large number of breaks. * * * Two days later they finally relented and sought shelter at a farm they were passing. Without stocking up on supplies at Whitebridge, they were now running dangerously short. Combined with the threat of a growing storm, the prospect of a roof over their head outweighed the risk of being identified by Darkfriends. Keeping up the pretence of being a Gleeman and his apprentices, they were welcomed with open arms by the family, who were quite happy to put them up for the night in exchange for some labour and stories during the evening. Thom was too injured to do any proper farm work, but he was more than capable of minding the family's infant and three year old little girl. Matt and Rand bore the lion's share of the work; digging, chopping wood and carrying stones to repair fences and clear fields. It might have exhausted the boys, but it certainly earned them their meals, and they felt no guilt when the dug into a hearty stew at the end of the day. Ami was drafted by Mistress Moran to help with cooking and repairing clothes. The girl was considered too small to be doing "men's work", and with Thom looking after the children, it gave their mother a chance to work on all the jobs she normally had to put off. Ami was not as good at sewing as Makoto, but she knew one end of the needle from the other. Despite her practice Ami's hands were not used to hand sewing all day, and her fingers were red and raw by the time they finished, leaving the girl wishing for the comforts of the twenty-first century like sewing machines. Part way through the afternoon, as all the men were out of earshot, Mistress Moran leaned close to Ami and placed a motherly hand on her knee. "Dear, there's no one around that can hear you at the moment, so feel free to answer honestly. Are those men... pressuring you... in any way? I know what men are like, old and young, and I would hate for a sweet little thing like you to be forced into something." It took Ami a few moments to realise what the matronly woman was hinting at, but when she did, she smiled and shook her head in negation. "No, not at all. Matt and Rand are just like big brothers. They're actually rather protective. And Thom... Thom's the grandfather I never had. You see, my father left my mother when I was very young and recently... Because of the Dark One's trollocs, I can never see my mother again." The woman chuckled and patted Ami's leg. "Trollocs? Come child, there's no such thing as trollocs. Everybody knows that they were all killed during the War Of The Shadow. There's nothing like that around here." Ami had not been exposed to it in Edmond's Field because they had just learned first hand that trollocs did exist, and since then she had been moving too rapidly to spend much time in casual conversation. However, the grim truth was that most people south of the Borderlands did not believe in trollocs or Fades anymore. They were children's stories, bogeymen conjured up to terrify young children and nothing more. Ami knew better than that, so she looked the woman straight in the eye and spoke in a deadly serious voice. "Trollocs are real, Mistress Moran. The Dark is rising, and the seals on the Dark One's prison are weakening. Believe me when I tell you that the final battle is coming, and we must all be ready to turn back the forces of evil when it arrive." For a moment the farmer's wife stared at her with a horrified expression, mouth agape. After just a few moments, her expression changed into mirth and she rocked back and forwards laughing. "Oh, dear girl, you really will make a good Gleeman, telling stories like that. You almost had me believing you!" Ami protested some more, but her hostess would not hear it. In the safe, secure world that existed in most of this land, the biggest threats that existed were tax collectors and other occasional brigands. In the heart of the continent, western Andor was the most secure and peaceful place of any on the continent. It was not on the coastline and subject to pirates, nor was it the Borderlands with their constant raids from the Blight. The Aiel had only come as far west as Tar Valon and Cairhien during the Aiel War nearly thirty years ago. Lastly, thanks to the strength of the Queen's Guard and the even handedness of her rule, Andor was not subject to uprisings and political challenges like those that constantly beset nations like Illian, Tarabon or Arad Doman. The greatest reason that the farmer's wife would not believe Ami was one that simply would not occur to the modern girl: the woman lacked the breadth of education and experience to comprehend what was being said. Ami had been raised in a world of mass communications; TV, radio, the internet, newspapers and telephones and these gave her at least some familiarity with the entire world. The woman with whom she spoke had never been further than three kilometres from her home, never even heard of a newspaper, and her only source of news was the rumours provided by passing travellers. Mistress Moran did not have the mindset or worldview to incorporate trollocs; it would take something as fundamental as a trolloc attack on her own farm to change that opinion. Despite their differences in education and opinion, Ami and the men stayed at the farm for three more days, during which time the whole family was most glad to have them. With Thom's help, Ami constructed him a pair of crutches which he was using to get around on his own by the end of their stay. The grey haired gleeman might not be able to carry much weight like that, but at least he was self-mobile once more and they were able to continue their trip. It took them another thirteen days of constant travel to reach Caemlyn, but the pace was not arduous for anyone other than the injured Thom. Early in the trek they would only stay at farms, arriving before sunset to do some work in exchange for food, but later the class of their accommodations improved. As they neared the capital of Andor, so did the frequency of villages, even the smallest of which could have swallowed Edmond's Field whole and not grown significantly. A decent gleeman could get room and board at any inn he chose to grace, and Thom was well beyond merely 'decent'. When it was combined with the fact that he and his three apprentices were willing to share the same room for the night and acted as a troupe most lords would not shun, innkeepers would bid for them to stay at their tavern. By the time they reached the gates of Caemlyn, both of the boys and Ami possessed more gold than they had ever seen in their whole life. Initially there had been some disagreement over the idea of Ami - a young, single girl who was just starting to bloom - staying in the same room as three grown men, but both Ami's and Thom's arguments eventually overcame that of the boys or the innkeeper's wives who would invariably object. Alone, in a room by herself, Ami was actually more at risk from anyone capable of breaking in that she would be in a room shielded by her "grandfather" and foster brothers. Both of the boys swore any oath required that neither had any interest in taking advantage of Ami - although Matt was glad that no one required that he admit to the occasional thought spawned by her indecently tight sailor suit. Thus, while it was far from the proper way for a decent young Japanese girl to act, Ami would spend her nights in a warm bed, surrounded by the comforting sounds of the snores and grunts of three sleeping men. For several days they could tell they were getting closer to Caemlyn. Rand and the others considered the road to be crowded, and in comparison to previous days and weeks it was. Ami was a child of a modern city, and if you have experienced Shinjuku Station - the world's busiest train station - at peak hour, nothing else could ever seem crowded again. Even Ami had to admit that the area was getting progressively more populous as they went on. Every second day they passed a village that could dwarfed Edmond's Field, and the number of caravans, wagons, mules and other pack animals constantly increased as people took their produce to the ever hungry city. Farmers and traders were not the only users of the road. The was also a constantly growing number of people who were off to see Logain, the False Dragon that had been captured and was on his way to the White Tower in Tar Valon to be punished for his crimes. Not being from this time and place, Ami had not understood the implications of Logain's title or the crimes associated with it. Thom had to do most of the explaining as the boys' descriptions were too full of half-known village "truths" and hyperbole to be of much use. As far as Ami could discern, the Dragon Reborn was going to be a more violent and bloodthirsty version of Usagi, and probably equally gifted with power. Logain's defeat at the hands of the White Tower's Aes Sedai and his failure to fulfil any of the prophecies that foretold of the Dragon's coming made the man little more than a murderous rebel. It would be like someone declaring themselves the Moon Princess and then raising an army against the Japanese government. The bloodshed that would follow would no more justify the person as the Moon Princess than their original claim would. All these things made it easy for the travellers to tell they were approaching Caemlyn, but in the end they could smell the city well before they could see its scope and grandeur. The capital of Andor straddled the intersection of major trade routes like an obese warthog wallowing in a river, and smelled almost as unpleasant. Tokyo was a modern city, and the air pollution was so bad that people would actually stop for oxygen at times just to recover from walking around. By contrast, while Caemlyn's air was much clearer, every breath had a decidedly organic taste to it. A hundred thousand cooking fires heated the masses of unwashed humanity, mainly peasants who only washed occasionally in summer, if at all in the frigid winter. Then there were the countless beasts of burden, food animals, pets and rodents; each one adding their own contribution to the smell. It was not possible to pinpoint the animals as the problem since humanity's sanitation was no better. The concept of aqueducts or sewers was still centuries away and so like great cities throughout the ages the disposal of waste was limited to chamber pots that would be conveniently dumped into the already filth laden streets. Unlike modern cities, where the sheer weight of humanity forced out anything less demanding, the suburbs of Caemlyn were scattered with small farms. The land immediately outside the walls were patch worked with fields, interspersed with small forests or woods. Of course, any city was hungry for all sorts of resources, and it did not take an environmental scientist to expect that all that greenery would be cut down or burned in the next few centuries if the growth of the city was left unchecked: it had happened to every city on earth, it would happen here too. For all its bad points, the arrival at Caemlyn was a welcome milestone for all the party. To the boys it not only represented their best chance to reunite with their lost companions, it was also possibly the largest city in the world. Baerlon might have been the icon of most of their village stories, but that was only because places like Caemlyn seemed as close as the moon. Now they were here and they would actually have time to experience what a real city was like. Ami felt much the same, though for different reasons. She was a city girl, through and through. All of the time that she had spent hiking through the wilds had been like a bizarre and overly long camping trip. The city might not hold a candle to home, but at least she could expect to wake up in the morning and not need to worry whether a snake had crawled into her blankets with. Simply being able to stay in the one place for more than a night would not be anything to ignore either. Oddly enough, as Rand took the lead to talk to one of the guards at the city's entrance, Thom Merrilin was not his normal vivacious self. His quick wit and gleeman's cloak would have guaranteed them instant lodging, and would have made him so memorable that the guards could not fail to remember him if Moiraine or the others were yet to enter the city. Unusual for him, the man had donned the plain cloak he had bought in White Bridge, and had his bright patchwork cloak inside out, bundled around his beloved flute and harp, hiding them from view. "Thom? Is there something the matter?" The man jumped slightly, turning on his crutch to regard Ami as though just realising she was there for the first time. He turned away from here again to face the wall, coincidentally placing his back to the small guard's house. "Nothing's exactly wrong, Lass, I'll just be as happy as I can be when we are moving again." "Thom... Did... Did something happen to you in Caemlyn before?" "Let's just there's a time and a place for everything, and what took place at that time was not what should have. Morgase is not the sort to forgive and forget, and as long as she remembers, Gareth Bryne will too." Ami gave a small giggle and gently nudged the grey haired man. "Stealing other men's wives were you, Master Merrilin? And I thought the romantic minstrel was just in the stories. You must have been quite dashing when you were younger." The tall man looked down at her like she had grown another head before realising that things that "everyone knew" were not necessarily things that Ami knew. Most people would have called him a liar to his face for claiming to know the queen of Andor, Ami assumed that he was one of the swashbuckling heroes that populated Hunt For The Horn. "I'll have you know, Lass, that I'm still considered quite dashing now. By ladies of taste and discernment, at any rate." Relieved at the giggle that Ami produced, Thom spared a quick glance over his shoulder to see if Rand was done yet, then resumed his study of the stone wall that surrounded the city. "Aye, there was a romance between Morgase and I, but Gareth Bryne was not her husband; that man had been dead some time. There are things you say to a lady, and things you do not. My parting words were more the latter than the former, and the rumours that I've heard coming out of Caemlyn since then have done nothing to make me wish to return. "Lads like those behind us would not remember me, but I would wager my harp that Morgase would sooner serve the Dark One than she would forget something that needed repaying. Aye, a good woman to have as a friend, and a worse one to have as an enemy. Now wipe that frown of your face before you get as wrinkled as I am. I'll stay low and stay quiet and she'll never know I was here. In a few days time the Aes Sedai will catch up with us, and we can all be on our way. Morgase will never need to know." Before she could comment on how the Gleeman should tell stories of his own adventures rather than the others he knew, Matt and Rand walked up. Matt bore his usual cocky grin, but Rand looked worried. "The guard says that no one matching Moraine Sedai's, Lan's, Egwene's or Perrin's have come through. I'm worried about them Thom. With the pace we've been making, they should have beaten us here easily." Everyone's eyes were drawn to Thom's injured leg which was the limiting factor on their speed, but no one made comment. Ami complained every day that they were pushing it too hard, and the leg was hardly healing at all, but Thom's best was not as good as the rest of them could make. No one complained, not even in private. How could you, when the man had offered his life to save yours, and had miraculously come out of it with nothing worse than a dislocation? "Don't forget, Rand, we caught the Spray all the way down to White Bridge, and that would have put us days ahead of anyone else. Weeks more likely, with the way Captain Domon pushed his ship and his crew. No, I think we'll be able to rest here a while before they catch up with us. And don't worry about Moraine or Master Lan. She's an Aes Sedai, and it will take more than a little hard travel to do her in." "I suppose your right." The red haired boy hardly sounded convinced. "Come one, Rand! This is the chance we've been waiting for! We've lost the Dark One, and we've got no Aes Sedai breathing down our neck! This is Caemlyn! Can you just imagine what must be going on in here? It's huge! Burn me, look at the size of that inn through the gate. I'd bet you every coin I own you could fit every man, woman and child from Edmond's Field in there and still have room." "The Butchered Boar? Matt, you have possibly the worst taste of inns of any man I've met. Only complete novices and desperate travellers chose the first inn they see. As much as you might fit both of those categories, I think I can suggest something where the walls of the building are held up by more than the sheer weight of rats and lice inside it." At one of the earlier farms Rand had rigged a pack for the ice covered dagger, allowing Ami to carry it easily. Both Matt and Rand had volunteered, but she had declined them. Foremost was the reason that her Senshi powers allowed her to quickly recover from the little power still emanating from the cursed dagger. She was willing to let the young men help with carrying their meagre supplies and blankets, but her sense of duty would not let the dagger out of her possession until she knew it had been safely disposed of. Thom led them through the city as only a local could. Their route was not direct, but it was not quite a scenic tour either. The Queen's Blessing was deep in the heart of the city, so the gleeman took the opportunity to show the tourists the most important locations that they might want to see. It was a whirlwind tour, but it firmly instilled in all their minds enough landmarks that they could navigate the city, along with a number of safe meeting points that they could use. Thom was an old hand at dodging unwanted attention, and he was well prepared to help his charges stay one step ahead of any Darkfriends that might decide to accost them. * * * It was well before dark - but far enough after lunch that their minds were already considering dinner - when they finally arrived at the Queen's Blessing. Even to the least experienced of them, they could tell the difference between the solid, well kept establishment and the Butchered Boar that they first saw on entering the city. Pushing open the door, Thom was followed by Ami then the two boys. The room was busy even at this time of the day, speaking of good trade and a popular location. Several maids roamed the room and a fire roared in a massive hearth off to one side of the room. The gleeman looked around, a satisfied, slightly naughty grin spreading across his face until it looked almost ready to split. "Ohh, it's been too many a year since I last saw this old scoundrel. Here, hold these, Lad." When Rand took the old coat, harp and flute, Thom flicked his gleeman's cloak with a flourish. Twirling it like a matador's cape, he swirled it around several times until he had everyone's attention on him. As the entire inn quietened down, he rolled the cloth around his shoulder, making the cloak flow and dance as though it were alive. Finishing with a self-satisfied smile, he struck a pose with one hand on his hip, and the other gently stroking his moustache. Fearing the worst from the sudden silence, the master of the inn came dashing out of the kitchen, just in time to catch Thom Merrilin's perfectly timed comment. "When I saw a young lass as pretty as that one over there, I thought I must have stumbled into the palace by mistake, and been looking at the beautiful Princess Elayne. But then a sorry sight like this comes out! Where is the master of this fine establishment? Bring him forth this instant, lest this evil visage spoil the wine and curdle the milk!" "Why you--- By the Light, as I live and breath! Thom you old rascal, what in the world has brought you back here?" As quickly as it came the man's outrage vanished, to be replaced by unfeigned joy. Crossing the room he gave Thom a massive hug, old friends meeting again after years of separation. A roar went up from the patrons, making it impossible to talk for a time. This was the entertainment they liked from a gleeman. Ten seconds in the door, and already he was keeping them happy; and mocking the inn keeper to boot. Word would spread quickly, and even if Thom walked out the door that instant, the Queen's Blessing could expect a good trade tonight. "Thom, are you mad? I'm surely glad to see you, but I don't think Morgase will ever forgive you." "Neither do I, but the Wheel has brought me back again, so I think I'll best stay as quiet as a mouse and not let her know I'm here." "Of course. Thom Merrilin, always a man quiet as a mouse. We used to have a mouse as quiet as you, but it scared off all the cats, it made so much noise." "Aye, that's true, right enough, but do you really expect Her Majesty to be coming down here tonight? I was thinking I might sit up on that stage and rest my weary bones for a while, but if your preferring it, I can always find a rooming house for the night." The man shook his head sadly, though he still bore the same delighted grin that had graced his face since he first recognised Thom. "You're always welcome here, whether you play, talk, or just want to rest your head... But where are my manners. Please, introduce your fine friends. I am Basel Gill, proprietor of this fine establishment, and your host for this evening." "This fine lad is Matt Cauthon and his tall friend is Rand al'Thor. Their apprentices of mine, for the time being." That raised eyebrows. "Apprenticed to Master Merrilin? I can only hope some day you'll realise just how lucky you've been. And the girl? You've taken to stealing children now?" "This is Ami Mizuno. If you think her name is hard to say, just wait until you hear her talk. She's a traveller from a long way off... Not entirely by choice, I gather. We're going with the boys for now, but I expect she'll be headed to Tar Valon by the end. Of course, before she spends her time doing something silly like learning to be an Aes Sedai, she's learning a real skill, like being a gleeman." Ami gave him a bow, which startled him. Never to be outdone in his own inn, Master Gill swept low into a flourishing bow he normally kept reserved for the most egotistical merchant or lordling that graced his tables. Surprised by the depth of the bow that was returned to her, Ami bowed again, making the two people bob up and down in confused competition and status juggling until Thom put a hand on his friends shoulder. "Leave it at that, Basel, or you'll be bowing all day. Like I said, she's not from around here, and she's as modest as a blushing handmaid. They bow to say hello where she comes from, even to common folk like us, no matter how strange it may sound." Spreading his arms around the four, Master Gill steered them further into the inn and found them an empty table. "Mary, over here girl! Bring us four dishes. No, make that five. Tell Cook that I'll be taking mine early tonight, and she can wait until later to burn my ears off. Light, Thom, I honestly thought I would never see you again." Thom and Basel Gill reminisced for over an hour before the master realised just how crowded the inn was getting. Pushing his seat back, he rose and took Thom's hand once more. "I was serious before, Thom. You've no need to play to stay at my inn. You've a bed and a roof for yourself and your friends as long as you need it. Were I you, I'd think twice about attracting Morgase's attention." "Aye, well as to that, more like I would go mad just sitting still each night, especially if I have to listen to these three butchering my stories and songs. No, I don't think Morgase will be wandering in here tonight, nor any other night soon, no matter what the rumours she hears." "Just so you know, just so you know." "I'll not ask a friend to put us up for free, no matter how generous the offer. And I'll not let my apprentices get fat and lazy on your generosity either." For a moment Thom regarded the two boys, neither of which had been overweight before the journey. Now they both looked on the underfed side of lean and nowhere in danger of getting fat on anything. "How's this as a proposition for you: "I and the lads will be down here each evening. They can spell me for a break, but I'd not ask your dinner crowd to sit through the notes young Master al'Thor can pull from that flute. The girl's got a fine memory, but they'll never hear a word she said at night, let alone understand her over the noise. She and the lads can do a few stints during the day, help keep them in practice and keep the people at the bar. "All we'll be needing is the one room and some food, but if you can spare a little gold so we can rest our heads in the next town, it would be rightly appreciated." Rand, Matt and Ami stared at Thom like he had just confessed to being the Dragon Reborn. Thom _never_ gave away money. They had seen him squeeze an inn keeper for more money than any had ever seen, then keep the pressure on till the man was crying. The gleeman was not egotistical, he really was as good as he said, but he always charged top rates, and he deserved it. To throw in all their services so the inn could boast of almost constant entertainment would have been enough to earn them whatever they asked. "That's a generous offer, Master Merrilin, and one I'll wager not one man in a million has ever heard its like. You rest that leg of yours, and do what you feel you can. If the kids can help, its all appreciated. Come see me when you want to leave, and I give you what I can." With that, the man turned and left to the kitchen, three quarters of the table still too stunned to speak. "Thom..." Matt could barely gasp out his name. "Thom, how could you? We could live like lords on what we could earn here." "Never you mind about that, Matt. We'll live like lords regardless, so long as we stay with Master Gill. Aye, and we'll be safe from the guard, Darkfriends or any cut-purses while we're at it. Basel Gill is a good man to have behind you in dark times or light, and an honest one too. Come the day we walk out that door, he'll pay us, and handsomely too." "Couldn't you have even haggled a little? Set some sort of price?" "You're not thinking, Lad. You be good to Master Gill, and you'll have shelter whenever you need it in the future. Not only that, but the man is one of my oldest friends. I'm not going to insult him by saying he'd give us less than we deserve, and he won't try to rob me. If Rand came over to your farm to help you chop firewood for the winter, would you haggle over a price, or know that he'll do you right when you need it?" "But..." Matt started, then subsided with a sulk. He would refuse to admit it if anyone accused him of it, but he had enjoyed learning how Thom bargained ten times as much as he enjoyed the lessons on being a gleeman. At least the lessons on bargaining were likely to come in handy; no matter how much Rand enjoyed singing for his dinner, Matt had no intention of following that career. Of course, Thom did seem to do well with the ladies, even those young enough to be his grandchildren, and that was something important to consider in a job. True to his word, Basel Gil had them set up with rooms as soon as they were ready. As soon as Thom beckoned over one of the maids, the girl gave them a curtsey as though they were the most distinguished guests and told them that the Master had ordered a room prepared. She also conveyed his apologies that he could not provide more, but the massive crowds drawn to see the False Dragon Logain had filled his inn to capacity. While they dropped off their bags and what spare clothes they had, the maid continued to talk, filled with an endless supply of gossip about hundreds of people that they had never heard of before. After hot baths and a soak, Ami was ready to collapse into bed and sleep for a week, but she put on her cleanest clothes and joined Thom in the common room. The clothes she was wearing would not be considered clean by any real standard, but they bore the distinction of being "the cleanest", so she had saved them for that night while the rest of her scanty wardrobe was being washed. Thom was in his element and enjoying himself immensely. His strong voice carried over the crowd, retelling a story about a wily princess and how she constantly outwitted a conniving baron in a mythical land. At least half the crowd was focused on his words, and the room shook with laughter every five minutes as the princess (naturally, she was a beautiful princess) scored yet another point against her foe. Ami could not see outside, but judging from the way that more and more men kept coming in through the door, the laughter inside must have been more effective than any neon sign she had ever seen. As Thom wound up his story and pulled out his harp for a quick chance at singing while there was enough room remaining for people to dance, Ami leaned close and offered to give him a break. Rand was off somewhere else and Matt already asleep, but she felt that it was her duty to try and support Thom as much as he supported them. "No, girl, don't worry about it. The night Thom Merrilin can't stay up longer than a crowd like this is the night after I'm buried six foot under, aye, and I'll be singing at my own funeral, too. You go get some rest too, kids like you shouldn't stay up too late either. Besides..." Thom coughed into one hand. "I'm going to start singing a few bawdy songs in a while, and you're too young to hear those." For a moment Ami was tempted to tell him about the time that she had been riding the train and the man standing next to her had been reading an ecchi manga about several women, a kilometre or two of rope, and enough electrical devices to satisfy the entire Roppongi night-club district. She might have been blushing redder than a tomato by the time she got off the train, but she had been unable to stop herself reading. Until then, she had not realised most of those things were possible... For that matter, she was still not sure they were possible, and she had no intention of finding out. Instead of risking giving the sweet old man a heart attack, she simply smiled at nodded her head. "I think I'll go upstairs and read for a little while before going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow, Thom." "Yes, well I'm likely to be up until morning with this lot. Take a walk around the city tomorrow, but be careful. Caemlyn's a good place, but there a lot of out-of-towners here. Better yet, you might want to take one of the boys with you." She nodded and gave him a quick hug before setting off. Her father had divorced her mother when she was very young because both of them were so busy. Since she rarely saw her grandparents, and her mother was more of a fleeting apparition in the house than a real parent, she was not used to the feeling of security and care she felt around Thom and the young men from Two Rivers. Forced to be self-sufficient in the safe haven of Tokyo, she found she did not really need anyone, outside of her battles with the Senshi. Now that she was somewhere uncivilised and dangerous, she was really beginning to appreciate what it must be like to have a real, close family. The crowd gave a collective "awww" as she wandered off, the very picture of a child saying good night to her grandfather. She gave them a quick wave, and Thom gruffly told them all to shut up as he brought his harp into position, but she could see he was smiling. Of course, that warm, tender smile vanished in a few moments, driven out by the intense, excited smile of a performer in his prime. As she ascended the stairs lively notes chased her up, and soon the sounds of singing and stamping feet shook the building. Being inside and having a proper bed meant that she could take off her dress and just sleep in her school uniform. Two months ago - before she came to this world - she would have considered her uniform to be overdressed for sleeping, but things were different here. Here modest sailor style uniform was considered low cut at the neck, and high at the skirt's hem. In most places it would be too indecent to wear during the day, but it was just right for the cold of night when worn under the thick blankets provided. Also, in her mind it provided enough clothing for her to leap out of bed and into action, should anything untoward happen... Like an assault by Trollocs and Myrddraal. Sometimes Ami wished she only had to worry about the same threats everyone else did; the occasional thief or presumptuous rat. * * * Every day since she had come to this primitive world had been one of education and new discovery for Ami. Of course, with her voracious appetite for books, that had been true back in Tokyo, but her discoveries seemed so much more immediate and pressing when she was experiencing them directly, rather than reading about someone else's feelings second hand. The first two days in Caemlyn were no exception to that rule, providing a wealth of information and stimulus, but things got even more interesting after that. True to his word - and their own sense of loyalty to pay for their meals - the boys and Ami took turns during the day to act as gleemen for the Queen's Blessing. There was no question that they were not up to Thom's standard, but the almost constant presence of a gleeman of any quality at the inn was a major draw-card. Thom sat with whoever was performing at the time and gave tips, or sometimes he would sit and talk with Basel when it was quiet enough for the maids alone to handle things... To judge by the way the ladies were run off their feet, that was not often. Ami was not thrilled by the public performances - Rei and Mina were always the ones who wanted their names up in lights - but she was learning a lot about public speaking and how to address a crowd. Simply the confidence boost that came by having so many people hanging onto your words (a requirement when your accent was as strong as Ami's) was amazing. Outside the inn she received another education: just because Caemlyn was smaller than home, that did not make it _small_. Caemlyn itself was very large, again because of the very lack of technology that precluded it becoming a modern metropolis. Unable to create massive towers or high density housing, people were forced to spread out, meaning that the low numbers of people still covered an enormous area. Equally, without modern transportation, the idea of commuting was almost completely absent. About the only people who did travel to work were servants of the rich, and a lot of them lived on site too. The result of this was that the entire town structure was fundamentally different from anything Ami was used to. Or perhaps, it was everything she was used to, only in miniature, and reproduced multiple times. Every few streets you would come across a blacksmith or farrier. Next to them would probably be some sort of seamstress or cobbler, who in turn would be next to the butcher. To be sure, some of the functions were more centralised, but for the most part it felt as though she could walk for ten minutes and be in a completely different hamlet. The exotic variety and endless options were more addictive than any drug. It was the twenty-second of Adar as the locals reckoned it, two days after she had arrived in Caemlyn and Moiraine still had not arrived. Earlier in the morning Ami had been directed to the inn's library when a casual comment revealed to one of the serving girls how much she missed reading real books. She had not mentioned that she now occupied her time reading more and more of the information in the Mercury Computer, but she still missed the comforting feel of a good book in your lap. When she first arrived in the library, she had been stunned speechless. There must have been hundreds of books there, a fortune in this day and age. Collecting these books must have been more than just a passing interest for Master Gil, since they would have been all hand copied and cost more than an average man made in a week or maybe even a month. Each and every title was bound in hard leather or even wood, and the parchment was thick and strong. Who was she kidding? These books were more than just words, they were works of art. Gently, tenderly - even reverently - Ami brought down one of the books at random and walked to the far corner of the library where she could sit in a large chair that faced the fireplace and have some decent light. "The Travels Of Jain Farstrider." Gosh. It was just like the first time she ever read the "Tale Of Genji" or "Gulliver's Travels". She dearly loved textbooks, there was nothing like learning the very rules that governed the universe as she waded through a physics text, but novels held a special place in her heart. It was the difference between fine sushi and a box of Pocky. A textbook was sushi: good for you and yet a pleasure to consume at the same time. The novel was the Pocky, so nice you almost wanted to give up ever eating anything else again. Easing the cover open, Ami sighed at the woodcut illustration on the first page before carefully turning over the page with a crinkle of parchment and began to work her way through the words. Ami was fluent in both German and English - not hard considering how similar the languages were - but this world's written language held a number of differences from German, and so she quickly had the Mercury Computer out, running a lexicological scan on the work as she read. She could interpret most of the words as well as the machine from their context, but it was a useful backup for her. Some time later she heard the door to the library opened then closed again. Assuming it was Matt or Rand she did not look up until a voice addressed her. Sounding like someone had digitally sampled a person speaking at 50KHz then replaying it at 30KHz, the voice rumbled so deeply that she could almost feel the bass through the chair. "Ahh... You must be Rand's travelling companion, he mentioned that he was with a most interesting young girl." Blinking in surprise at the depth of the voice, Ami turned to take in some of the largest boots she had ever seen. Raising her head she looked up, and up, and up further until she finally reached the face, a shade under three meters tall. The face was both gentle and ugly in the same way that a bulldog's was, and the way the man's broad, flat nose spread across his face was also reminiscent of a bulldog's. The man was hairy, too, with long busy eyebrows, but the deformity did not end there. Although Ami would never be crass enough to stare - no matter how tempted she was - the giant man possessed quite noticeably pointed ears, tufted with even more hair. Coming to her feet, Ami gave the man a bow. "Good morning, Sir. I'm Ami Mizuno. It's a pleasure to meet you." "Good morning to _you_, Ami Mizuno. I am Loial, son of Arent son of Halan. Your name sings in my ears." "Thank you, Master Loial... If I may say so, with a voice as deep as yours, the singing would be quiet different for you than I." Loial smiled, and his ears twitched up, almost as though they were laughing by themselves. "It is nice to meet someone who does not run scared from me. Even Rand thought I was a trolloc the first time he saw me. Rand told me that you came from a far away land, so I assume that there are more of my people there." "Your people?" The nod shook that massive head until the hair on his ears almost touched the high ceiling. "Ogier. We do not leave our Steadding often here, is it different where you come from?" Carefully Ami placed her book down on a table and marked her place with a bookmark. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure that I understand... Is everyone from Steadding as tall as you?" Now it was Loial's turn to act confused. "Steadding is not the name of my home, it is the description of where we live. There are numerous Steaddings around, but few tend to be near cities. As for my height... I am tall for my age, but no taller than normal." "Ano... Master Loial, I don't want to sound insulting, but you are very tall. Rand was the tallest person I had ever met until you, and you are much taller than he." "Well, of course I'm taller than Rand, he's a human." Seconds passed as Ami obviously worked on digesting that sentence, before her face finally lit up and her eyes widened in amazement. "Not human! You're not human! That's what you've been trying to tell me." Ears drooping slightly, Loial nodded. "Oh dear, and I had so hoped you could tell me what it was like for your people and mine to live together. These days so few of us get out that it would be a comfort to know that somewhere mankind remembers who we are." "Excuse me, Sir... If you are not a human, then... What are you? I can feel that you're not evil, so I know you're not a youma, but I never actually met someone who was neither human, nor one of the Dark One's creations." "I'm an Ogier, a Tree Singer from Steadding Shangtai." For a moment Loial looked down at himself as though trying to think of how he could sum up his entire race for someone else. "We tend to be less hasty than humans, and we live closer to nature than those of you in cities do. If you can really feel Leaf Blighter's touch upon a creature, you have been truly blessed by the Creator. Have you encountered many of Leaf Blighter's aberrations?" "Far too many, it seems sometimes, Master Loial. If you have the time, I would really like to learn more about your people. It's so nice to meet someone as unusual as you, but not have them attacking me or trying to take over the world." Loial's jolly laugh was like thunder rolling across the plains. Reaching out he placed a gentle hand upon her shoulder. Fingers the size of thick sausages were as gentle as a mother handling a new born child as he guided her to the smaller seat next to the one she had been on before. "Here is your first lesson about the Ogier then, Ami. There is only one thing we like to do more than reading in the whole world, and that would be talking. But please, take a seat. If you have to keep staring up at me like that, you'll have a sore neck in no time. I hate to take the seat you were using, but Master Gill was quite clear on the subject. This is the only chair he has that can take my weight." Ami spent most of the day closeted with the Ogier, completely forgetting her intention to venture out into the city after a short read in the morning. Ogiers were tremendously long lived, and like herself, Loial was still considered to be a child. The difference in the ages of the two "children" was even greater than the difference in their sizes. Where he was twice her height and at least three or four times her weight, he was almost seven times her age. Ami found it incredible that someone could still be considered a child when they were ninety years old, when she was a fully functional adult at fourteen in all but her legal status. Their topics ranged widely during the day, each as interesting as the last. They talked about her computer and her home world, comparing it to Caemlyn and the Steadding that Loial came from. Ami's travelling companions were also discussed, both as people and as comparisons to other travellers in stories like "The Travels Of Jain Farstrider". One of the more interesting things that Loial brought up was that both Rand and Matt were what he called Ta'veren, someone with a profound destiny who altered the Weaves of the Wheel Of Time simply by being present. Neither of them could put their finger on what the boy's destiny might be, but they agreed that it would be fascinating to learn. Mid afternoon Ami had to leave her new friend to spend some time in the common room reciting stories prior to the dinner rush. She would be gone to almost any length to avoid the chore if Loial was not going to be available for further conversation, but he revealed that he would actually be joining Rand on his journey, which would allow Ami and him as much time as they wanted to learn everything there was to know about each other. * * * It was just over a full day later - not yet time for dinner once more - when Ami came charging back into the library, borrowed skirts a flutter. Her face was flushed and her eyes were wide with excitement. She had quite literally run through the inn, narrowly avoiding upsetting a maid and almost completely ignoring Master Gill as he looked up from a customer. Pushing wide the door, Ami held up a small glass vial filled with clear liquid. "Rand! Rand! Look what I found! Loial! Look, isn't it great?" Numerous confused faces turned to look at her, but there was silence. "Oh, hello again, Moiraine Sedai, Master Lan, everyone. Can you believe it? Look what I've found! It's Haitch-Two-Ess-Oh-Four." "It is good to you also, Child." Moiraine's voice was dry and did not seem to convey any level of enthusiasm in the greeting. The expression on her normally calm face amply demonstrated that she thought Ami - as a potential novice - should be quiet and let them continue their discussion. "Now that you have our attention, do you feel that it is more important that you continue, or should we resume our discussion on how we shall leave the city?" To everyone else in the room, the icy chill in Moiraine's voice would have made it completely clear which answer the Aes Sedai expected. In normal circumstances, Ami would have noticed it too, but her excitement managed to overwhelm even that. "Thank you, Moiraine Sedai." She brandished the bottle again. "H2SO4, Sulphuric Acid, or as it might be better known here: Oil Of Vitriol. Moiraine Sedai, Loial, you can't possibly understand what this means." Swirling the clear liquid around in the bottle for a few moment, Ami stared enraptured at the sight. With a quick sigh she pulled herself together and entered "lecture mode", the focus and attitude she used whenever she needed to explain something to someone who could not understand it as quickly or as comprehensively as herself. Considering the fact that she was a certified genius with a measured IQ of 300, she was quite used to explaining things to others. The Senshi were not the only people she encountered that could not understand her brief - occasionally terse - explanations; even teachers would often need elaboration to understand something she tried to convey. "Sulphuric acid represents one of the basic building blocks of modern chemistry. No single person is attributed with its discovery due to the fact that is was discovered in multiple locations and times around the world, in addition to occurring naturally at sites of significant sulphur concentration such as volcanic vents or hot springs. "Like all acids, sulphuric acid acts by possessing additional hydrogen atoms in the molecule, and by the nature of the sulphur and oxygen combination it possesses two such atoms in a loosely bound configuration, making it both highly soluble and giving it a very low molar rating. Care should be taken in the handling and usage of this chemical due to the adverse reactions that can be caused on either skin contact or inhalation. All work should be done in a well ventilated area, as the acid can form a gas and remain present even after the water from its solution evaporates. "While sulphuric acid is currently considered to be a hazardous by- product of many chemical reactions - including being an exhaust gas of older petrol formulae - it remains one of the most common ingredients in both the modern laboratory and in industry. Interestingly enough, many economists now use the level of sulphuric acid production as a measure of the advancement of a nation; both the level it is produced for industry, and the level of waste gases and liquids produced." Ami gave a satisfied sigh and looked longingly at her vial of liquid again. After a few moments, she realised no one else was celebrating with her, so she looked around from face to face, seeking at least one person who had understood what she had said. The sigh she gave this time was of resignation, not satisfaction. "You all know how my world is more advanced than yours, right? Well, sulphuric acid is the one of the most basic building blocks that brought us to where we are. Finding this is like... It's like Moiraine Sedai finding a girl who can channel. You now know that there is hope that she can learn, and can become so much stronger. This acid is just the same. If I can find whoever actually makes it... Oh, there is no telling just how much I could teach them, no limit to what I could start to do with people who understand enough to make this." Moiraine put down the parchment she had been considering previously and stared at Ami. She could not see what the Pattern would look like before the Wheel wove it, but she had a lot of experience interpreting what had been woven, and on more than one occasion she had been privilege to see just how prophesy could be fit to the turning of the Wheel. Although her outwards appearance did not change, a chill ran down Moiraine's spine. This must have been what Min had seen. Now to find out just how much of Min's vision was tied to that little bottle. "And just what could you do with that little amount of liquid?" "This? Nothing really. It's what it represents. What it leads to." "What does it lead to?" For a moment Ami was confused. Where could she start? The question was more 'what did not come about if you started with a supply of sulphuric acid?' "That's a difficult question, Moiraine Sedai." There were nods around the room. As they suspected initially, the bottle did not really matter. "Obviously, when you use it with lead you can form a lead-acid battery. This gives you electricity, electronics and field theory. On a practical side you get lighting, instantaneous communications around the world and the ability to create and work metals that have never existed before. "You could also use it to create nitric acid, the second most common acid in industry, possibly the most common if you discount the fact that most nitric acid is produced by using sulphuric. With that we can produce make up, paints, fertilisers and most forms of explosives. Of course, your explosives leads to weapons and mining, which in turn leads to mineralogy and metallurgy. "Now, once you've got basic chemistry and can predictably produce a few acids and bases, you can then move---" Moiraine interrupted her with a wave of her hand. "Child, I think I begin to understand your excitement. To you this would be just as important as a farmer seeing the first sprout of greenery after a long winter. I think..." For a moment Moiraine considered the field of skulls that Min had described, foretelling massive numbers of deaths. "I think that this must be the point that we part company for a time." "M-Moiraine Sedai... I don't understand. Have I done something to upset you? I mean, I was excited by finding the acid, but I didn't mean to... to say anything bad..." "Child, I am not abandoning you. Far from it, I need you to remain here and begin to do what only you can. The rest of us need to move on as rapidly as possible. The Dark One's plots are advancing more rapidly than I ever could have imagined. It is imperative that we leave right this very night, and our path is one that is filled with danger. Loial shall be guiding us through the Ways, but these days they are filled with death. "You must walk a different path. You must stay here and aid Andor against the rise of the Dark One. Every life you can save using the knowledge you have been gifted with is another bastion against the dark. Every man you can raise into an army is another thorn in the Dark One's side. Every blade your science allows you to create is another point holding the forces of darkness at bay." "I... I understand." For a moment, Ami chided herself for the brief moment of terror she had felt. Ever since she had come into this world, it seemed as though Moiraine had been there for her. The thought of losing the woman and her solid, unflappable support was almost too much to bear. However much she might have wanted to go on with Moiraine and her friends, she knew the Aes Sedai was right. Her Sailor Senshi powers might make the difference between life and death for one of the people as they travelled the Ways, but what her friend / mentor had said was more true than the woman could possibly imagine. Ami knew that if she stayed here, she could reforge Caemlyn into a weapon against the Dark One than no one alive today could possibly comprehend. "Good. We still have planning to do, and now there is even more. Go and summon Master Gill, Child. Tell him to bring one of his girls; someone he can trust unquestionably." "Moiraine Sedai... What about Master Merrilin? Thom is... His knee is getting better, but it is not recovered enough for a long journey." Turning, Moiraine looked at the gleeman who was sitting quietly in the corner of the room. She was not sure that she wanted him along in the first place. The fewer people who got to see what she expected would be revealed, the better. She would have accepted Ami along for her formidable powers, but since she was staying, that offered a perfect opportunity to cut the size of their party slightly. "You are right, of course. Master Merrilin, I appreciate all of the assistance that you have provided to get the children this far, but the rode ahead will be difficult, and our need for speed is paramount. I would ask that you stay here and recover. I am sure that Ami can use all the assistance you can provide in her endeavours." It was obvious that Thom was not thrilled by the idea of staying in Caemlyn, but he could hardly argue. These days he could limp around without a walking stick for a short time, but even that brought him stern stares from Ami if she caught him doing it. For a moment Rand looked as though he was going to argue in favour of bringing the gleeman, but he subsided. Whether it was because he agreed that Thom would not be able to keep up, or if it was done out of the belief that he did not wish the man to risk his life for them any more did not matter. "Good. Since that is taken care of, we can keep going. Ami? Fetch Master Gill while we discuss the best method to enter the Ways." With a short bow, Ami turned a left the room. She returned a few minutes later with the inn's owner and his youngest daughter, a girl of around twenty who was more handsome than pretty. "Moiraine Sedai? You needed me?" Basel Gill was a stern master for the inn, and broke no back-talk from his staff, but he went weak at the knees when summoned by an Aes Sedai. "Yes, Master Gill, I did. You already know Ami Mizuno, do you not?" She was already continuing her next sentence as he nodded. "She will be staying here for some time, and I would arrange both her lodging and someone to assist her." "Of course, Moiraine Sedai. I would be happy for her to stay here, she and Thom have been doing a lot to keep my inn full. I would be happy to assist." "She will have little enough time for that, I fear, Master Gill." Moiraine ensured she was polite and formal with the man, even though he was so far beneath her socially, and nothing more than a sand mite against her power as an Aes Sedai. The man was not really capable of making things difficult for her, but he could certainly make things easy. Courtesy cost her nothing, but repaid itself so quickly; a lesson more Aes Sedai could learn. "Tomorrow your girl will need to take her shopping. I shall require that Ami speaks to the Queen no later than the day after tomorrow, and for that she will need someone to both assist and advise her." "T-The Queen?!" "Yes. If you will bring me someone parchment, I shall draft her a letter of introduction. Ami, I shall need to you to present both the letter and yourself to the Queen as soon as possible. We do not have the luxury of time on our side, and I am right in my understanding, events are already beginning to come to a cusp." Basel nodded and dashed out the door to get the writing materials. Feeling the Aes Sedai's powerful stare upon her, the maid flinched slightly then wriggled nervously. "What is your name girl?" "Mary, Milady. Mary Gill." "Very good, Mary. Now come over here and meet your new employer. For the duration you shall be reporting to Ami, and you are to assist her in anything that she may require. Can I trust you in this?" "Yes, Milady." If the innkeeper had been nervous, his daughter was a shaking wreck. "Good. Now put out your hands." Nervously the maid held out one, then the second one when Moiraine glared at her. Pulling a fat pouch from under her cloak, Moiraine upended it into the girl's hands, emptying all but a few coins. The gold coins were marked with the flame of Tar Valon, which would cause contention in some areas, but would be perfectly acceptable here, especially since they were just as solid as any other gold coin. "As Ami is unfamiliar with both our land and the prices she can expect, I would like you to hold and manage this for her. Master Gill has vouched for your trustworthiness. I would be... greatly disappointed... if I heard you were abusing this trust." Moiraine made no mention of how she could possibly know if the girl did abuse the trust; there was no need. The powers of the Aes Sedai were both under- and over-estimated by most people. If the girl thought that Moiraine could somehow know - and care - where each and every one of those coins was spent, then that was all for the better. "Now, I have things to prepare. Tomorrow, your new mistress will require you to arrange for her to get clothing suitable to see the Queen. I expect you will have much to think about that tonight, so you had best be started." With a curtsy suitable for greeting the queen herself, Mary took her leave, looking fearfully at first Moiraine than Ami. Ami might be her new employer, but Mary did not make the mistake of letting the girl's age mislead her. Whomever she was, Ami commanded the respect and assistance of an Aes Sedai, and were it not for the fact that Mary had seen Ami stumbling though gleeman's stories in the common room for the last three days, she would have been as terrified of the small girl as she was of the woman who had just dismissed her. It was a bittersweet parting as Moiraine led the assemblage into the night. Ami had only known them for six weeks, but they were some of the most intense weeks in her life. Although she had known the Senshi for longer, in many ways she felt just as sad to watch these people leave as she was when she was taken from her home. On the other hand, this was not an ending by any means, not for any of the people involved. Instead, it was just the opposite; a beginning of something much greater. For Rand and the folk from Two Rivers it was the start of their attack upon the forces of darkness. Until now they had simply been fleeing, but Moiraine's plan now called for an audacious journey into the Blight to stop the Foresaken cold before they could free the Dark One from his prison. There was no doubt now that the prison was weakening, and soon the Foresaken would walk the world doing the evil bidding of their master. For Ami the parting was a blank cheque to use the time her friends were buying. By their daring and actions; their blood, sweat and tears, she would be given the time to do all that she had claimed could be done. There was no doubt that the Dark One would need someone of Usagi's power to stop it. That someone they needed was the Dragon Reborn, and until he was reborn and showed himself, it fell on the rest of the mortal world to carry the fight. Unlike when Beryl teleported her generals and youma into Ami's home world, there did not seem to be anyone here capable of doing that. This meant that trollocs could be held from their unknown goals with sheer force of arms. Arms that Ami knew she could provide given the time and resources. It was the resources - human, economic and material - that Ami needed to contact the queen for. Only someone as powerful as the ruler of Andor could possibly muster the backing necessary to reinvent the economy and advance the country's science almost overnight. Mentally tabulating some of the most fundamental things that she needed, Ami was constantly set aback by the never ending requirement for more and more infrastructure. A modern army required a modern country, and there was no way that she could possibly provide Andor with the equivalent of the thousand years of technology that separated them from today's Japan. Reading through the Mercury Computer provided an even grimmer view, as she realised just how far beyond earth the Moon Kingdom was, and they too had fallen to Beryl's surprise attack. * * * Ami was still pondering her options when Mary knocked on her door the next morning. Brushing her short hair back from her reddened eyes, Ami looked at the older girl. Master Gill had selected her since she was both young and more easily spared from the inn, but it had the added advantage that the girl was only slightly older than her employer. "Come on in, Mary. What time is it?" "The sun rose over two hours ago, Milady." Mary gave a curtsey, which Ami returned with a bow. "Already? I guess with the light on, I didn't notice that it was after midnight." "Yes, Milady." Mary's voice sounded as though she had a hard time believing anyone could fail to notice they had been awake for the whole night. "What would you like for breakfast, Milady?" "Breakfast? Now that sounds like a good idea. Mary, would it be possible for you to stop calling me 'Milady'? Honestly, I'm not a lady. Do you think you could call me Ami?" "Yes, Lady Ami. I'll bring up some breakfast for you in a moment. Once you've eaten, I'd recommend a bath, then I'd like to introduce you to a good seamstress." "Why do you need to bring up the food? I've been eating with Thom and everyone down in the common room for the last few days, why would I stop now?" Putting action to her words, Ami rose from the desk, ran her hands through her hair. It did not accomplish much, but then Ami's hair never needed much tending. "For that matter, where is Master Merrilin? I didn't hear him come in last night?" "Father and Master Merrilin both decided that it would be best if he moved to a different room. Not just because you will be seeing the queen, but... He still is a man, Lady Ami... It would hardly be proper for a man to be sleeping alone with a young lady like yourself. At least when you had the two young gentlemen to act as chaperons for each other there was some excuse, but now..." Mary shook her head, plainly more worried about the risk that Thom represented than Ami was. "In that case, I have to take breakfast downstairs. I'll be so busy for the next few days, I think it is going to be the only time I'll have to catch up." Breakfast was a slightly stilted affair, primarily due to Ami's sudden elevation in the eyes of Basel Gill and his staff. Everyone at the inn was a solid supporter of the queen, and the blithe assumption that Ami could simply present Moiraine's letter and waltz on in carried the implicit statement for them that she must be on a higher social strata than themselves. Thom, of course, was just as gruff and good natured as he ever was. When Ami invited him to join her at the clothes fitting that Mary had organised, he demurred quickly and not quite gracefully. Spending a day sitting around watching a girl try on clothes and go through endless fittings was not his idea of fun. Since he had his option, he would rather sit around and swap stories all day, either with his friends or a room full of strangers. The home of the seamstress was only a short walk from The Queen's Blessing, as was to be expected with the tendency for businesses to be diversified throughout the city in a homogenous manner. "You'll like Mistress Sevan, Lady Ami. She's very good, and quite reasonable, too. She did my feastday dress, and the gowns for both of my sister's weddings. I came over here last night after we spoke to Mistress Moiraine, and had a chat to her, so it should make things easier." Pushing open the door, Mary gestured for Ami to lead her into the well lit interior of the building. She had barely made it though the door and into the toasty warmth when a voice called out for the door to be shut. Jumping forwards so that Mary would not actually need to step on top of her, Ami realised just how warm the room was, warmer than the Queen's Blessing as kept. Looking around, Ami was amazed at the number of bolts of cloth that adorned the walls. She had been to a few haberdasheries and fabric shops in Tokyo, but Mistress Sevan's collection would have rivalled anything she had seen for quantity, and beat them hands down for variety. "Ahh, you'll be Lady Mizuno that Mary was telling me about then? By the Light, you are a young one, aren't you?" Mistress Sevan possessed what kind people would refer to as a generous figure. She also possessed a pair of the most calloused hands Ami had ever seen, and she had no doubt at all that the woman could sew all day long and not feel the slightest pain from gripping the needle or getting stabbed. "Mistress Sevan, I'm honoured to meet you. Please call me Ami." "Lady Ami, eh? I didn't mean any disrespect calling you young, but I'm not used to dealing with lords and ladies." "You're welcome, Mistress Sevan. I'm not used to being called 'Lady Ami' either. I'd be quite happy if you just called me 'Ami', but I haven't been able to convince Mary of that either." "And a good thing too! I'd box her ears if I heard her giving a lady from the court any less than her dues. I've heard that you need something soon so that you can call upon our queen, may the Light bless and guide her." "Yes, I do. If possible, I'd rather like to see her tomorrow, today if I can. I'm afraid it is rather urgent." Squealing like a girl a quarter her age, the plump seamstress pulled on Mary's arm. "I'd not have called you a liar, Girl, but I could hardly believe that someone would come to me for a gown to see the queen. Just imagine, all them lords and ladies, looking at one of my dresses. Oh, it's almost too good to be true! Now... Let me take a look at you, Lady Ami..." Taking some wide steps around the girl, Mistress Sevan reached out occasionally to sweep imaginary cloth or lightly touch her waist or hips to see just where the body was underneath the winter clothes Ami currently wore. "I've got both my assistants in, and we can put off some work for the day, but I don't see any way we can have something right for wearing with royalty done by today. I'll work all night, and I'll get those lazy girls working too, but the best I can offer you is to have it by tomorrow morning. You can ask anyone else in the city if they can do it in time, but if they say yes, they'll be lying." "Tomorrow will be fine, thank you." Mentally Ami was trying to total up what bill for this dress would come to. Three dedicated people working on it all day and night? Did she even have enough money to cover the dress, let alone eat for the next few days? "Good. We'll need you here for as much time as you can spare, Lady Ami. If we're to do the fittings and measurements in a hurry, we'll save time if we don't have to fetch you." There was an expectant look to her eyes, which vanished into a broad smile when Ami nodded. Before the girl could explain she would be willing to sit and read while waiting, Mistress Sevan continued with the grace and might of a sailing ship. "Have you given any thought to colours, Lady Ami?" "I was hoping for something in a light blue, if you could." Something in a blue that matched the bows on her Senshi uniform was what she wanted to say, but somehow now did not feel like the right time to demonstrate her transformation. Besides which, the Mercury Computer had revealed that the ribbons were a mono-molecular synthetic that would not exist for thousands of years. There was no way they could get a perfect match, but something close would be nice. "Light blue... Light blue..." Sevan dug around for a while, moving bolts that were stacked against the wall until she pulled out one that was an almost perfect match. "How's this? It's not silk, but it is a very good cotton, one of the best available. Mary was saying you were on a budget, and if we make it out of this, then you'll save a fortune over the silk." Gently running her fingers over the cotton, Ami marvelled at just how smooth it was. Perhaps there was something to be said for hand making everything. "It's beautiful, Mistress Sevan." "Good, good. And this will hang nicely for the skirt. Now just give me a moment." Placing the bolt to one side, the seamstress pulled out some parchment, a brush and some ink. While Sevan worked over the design with swift, sure strokes Mary leaned in close. "Mistress Sevan is very good. She does the most beautiful work... Not only that, but this is going to be the first time she's ever had someone wear one of her dresses to court. Don't mention it to her, but when we spoke last night, she said that if you really were going to see the queen, she'd only charge you for the fabric, just so that she could say she had shown her works to the queen herself." As soon as Ami accepted the proposed design - while the ink was still damp - the seamstress underwent an instant transformation into an authoritative all-business mode. Ami was undressed in just a few moments, allowing her to understand why the room was kept so warm. A simple - but very warm - dressing gown was provided, but she could not put it on until Sevan had measured every possible length on her body. Being an Asian her proportions were slightly different from the typical Caucasian body type that these people resembled, but that did not pose any problem to the mistress of her trade. The need for the excellent lighting was also made obvious quickly, since Mistress Sevan and her two assistants dived into the work right there, measuring and slicing material with almost reckless haste. Every few minutes Ami would be called up again to have another piece of cloth measured against her body in a process that seemed to take all day. Somewhere during that time Mary slipped out only to return with meals for all of them. By the time evening rolled around, the basic under- dress was nearing completion, as was the mass of petty-coats that would give her skirt its volume. With the main work progressing well on the dress, Sevan nodded her satisfaction and thanks to Ami and allowed her to leave for the night. "Be back early tomorrow. We'll have some work to do finishing things off, but if you come by just after dawn we should be ready for the final fitting and adjustment." Walking back to the inn, Mary almost had to carry the small girl. Drained by the intensity and excitement of the day, Ami had not recovered from her sleepless night, and needed the older girl to direct her, lest she become lost on the streets. "Mary, how old are you?" "Twenty-one, Lady Ami." "Seven years. You're seven years older than I am, Mary. I should be the one calling you Mistress Mary, not the other way around." "That just wouldn't be proper, Lady Ami. Come now, its time for you to go to bed." "You're very good to me, Mary. Thank you." "You're welcome, Lady Ami. I'll come and wake you in the morning." Helping Ami get ready for bed, Mary was quiet for a while until Ami placed a hand on hers, looking the girl in the eye. "I know Mistress Moiraine is paying you, but you've done a lot more than you need to. I want you to know how much I appreciate it." "Oh, Lady Ami... I'd do all of this and more even if she was not paying me. How many common girls like me get the chance to serve a great lady? How many girls dream of getting to visit the palace, of seeing all those handsome knights and lords in their finery? Being a lady's maid is a fine job, Lady Ami, and a good lady like yourself can be a pleasure to work for. I... I'd be happy to work for you as long as you'll have me, Lady Ami." "I'm not really a great lady, Mary. My mother was a doctor, a Wise Woman who specialised in healing children." Mary blushed and looked away. "That's nice of you to say so, Lady Ami, but I overheard Master Merrilin talking to Father yesterday. He was saying that you're one of the reincarnated heroes from the Age Of Legends, brought back to life to defeat the Dark One. He said you're really a powerful Aes Sedai from another world, and that you've already fought the Foresaken, that you came here as part of a glorious quest to free a friend of your queen from the forces of darkness." Just how much did this girl overhear? To have gotten that much, she must have been listening to them for hours, the way Thom likes to spin out a tale... Then again, given the way that Thom could keep a man's attention, it was no wonder that Master Gill did not even notice his own daughter in the room. "Yes, well, I guess that's more or less true, but still..." Mary's mouth dropped open. To have heard it third hand as gossip was staggering enough, but to have the girl herself accept it so calmly was another thing. "You mean it really is true?" "I'm not actually an Aes Sedai, but I can channel like them; and I'm afraid the only glory I can see myself leading anyone to is the eventual defeat of the Dark One." "B-But the rest?..." "Hmm? Oh, yes, that's all true. If you remind me tomorrow, I'll tell you all about the Moon Kingdom. And Usagi, who was reborn to save the whole world. She... She was the best friend I ever had..." "Tomorrow, Lady Ami. Tomorrow." With that, Mary blew out the lamp and left the room. Both girls pondered on what had been said. As Mary struggled with the idea that she was associating with someone who just might be one of the legends from her childhood stories (or at least believed she was), Ami fought with the thought that maybe that was who she needed to be. Fighting Beryl's generals had been hard; bearing the mantle of being a living heroine would be a hundred times worse, but as Usagi had demonstrated time and again: all you had to do was dig deep and anyone could find the strength they needed to prevail. True to their word, Mary and Ami were back at Mistress Sevan's house bright and early. Equally dependable, the podgy seamstress and her had team been hard at work creating a masterpiece. It still took several hours of fitting and adjustments, but well before lunch, Ami was ready to go. Admiring herself in the full length mirror, Ami marvelled at how jealous her friends at home would be if they could see her now, truly, it was a dress fit for a fairytale princess. The dress was done in the fine cotton that she had picked out yesterday, but Mistress Sevan had made several additions. The front of the bodice was done in high grade silk of just a slightly darker blue, as were a the linings of several large pleats running down the wide skirt. Given the way the human eye was naturally attracted to movement and detail, the small areas of silk gave the impression that most of the dress was made of the expensive fabric, while in reality that was not the case. Following the current fashions in Caemlyn, the dress came all the way up to her throat, and descended to just brush against the floor as she walked. Running her hands down the side of her bodice and then out onto the flaring skirt, Ami reminded herself to be careful of how much of Master Gill's cook's fine food she ate. There was no elastic in the dress, it was simply cut to match her figure, meaning that she could not afford to let her waist or hips grow otherwise she would be wasting all the hard work that had gone into it. Behind Ami, Mistress Sevan hovered like an overprotective mother hen, occasionally stepping forwards to brush off an imaginary thread or to move to a different position to ensure that Ami looked just as good from every angle. "How is it, Lady Ami? I know it was rushed, but I'd be happy to fix something if there was a mistake." "A mistake? Mistress Sevan, this must be the finest dress I've ever worn." Without a doubt that was true. In every spot that it counted, the clothiers had used more labour intensive methods of sewing to join the cloth together, until scarcely a seam was showing anywhere. Ten times slower than machine sewing, the hand work was just as perfect and neat; better in fact at the ends of a run. "Ohh, you're just saying that. I'm sure a lady like yourself must have had so many nice dresses when she was growing up... And if I may say so, it does go nicely with your hair... (even if it is an unusual colour)." "Thank you so much, Mistress Sevan. It really is a miracle that you've been able to do this so quickly. Thank you." "Ohh, now you've gone and made me blush, Milady." Horrifying to imagine, the large woman was blushing as red as a fire truck, and holding her face like an embarrassed school girl. "Right them. Mary, if you would be so kind as to pass me the letter of introduction Moiraine Sedai wrote, we should be off. The palace is just up the hill from here, so we should be there in under an hour." "Ahh, you can't do that, Lady Ami!" The words came from her maid and seamstress at exactly the same time. "Why not?" Ami's head tilted to the side in confusion. A few minutes ago everyone had been a rush for her to see the queen, now that were saying she could not. "That's a court dress, Lady Ami. There's no way you could walk to the palace wearing it. Your shoes would be ruined, probably the dress too." Looking down, Ami realised Mary was right. The soft slippers she had been given would be soaked through in the first two seconds after she left the room. Not only that, but the floor length skirt would be dragging through the winter mud and slush, wasting days of effort with every step she took. Eyes wide with despair, Ami looked from face to face. Had she ordered the wrong thing? If she could not get to the palace, then the best dress in the world did her no good. "What can I do?" "Don't worry, Lady Ami." Mary patted her hand reassuringly. "Give me a few minutes and I'll have a carriage waiting for you outside. That will get you right to the palace as clean and dry as you could want." "Mary... Moiraine Sedai was right; you are worth more to me than gold. Thank you for watching out for me." "You're welcome, Lady Ami. Now just you stay here and rest for a while, and I'll be back right quick." Taking the opportunity presented by the brief lull in the excitement, Ami spoke to Mistress Sevan about other clothes. She was almost certain she would be doing more work over the coming weeks, and she would need another two or three sets of presentable clothes to wear. They did not need to be as formal or fancy as the one she was wearing, but it would not be hard to produce something that was a long way ahead of the rough but serviceable woollens she had been wearing for the last two months. Sevan - who seemed to have a better idea of Ami's finances than Ami did - was entirely happy to produce what was needed. She could arrange for most of it to be done of the coming weeks, with only the occasional visit by Ami to check the fittings or pick up the garments when ready. For everything else, Sevan was quite content to deal with Mary and Master Gill, whom she had know all her life. A knock on the door proved to be Mary Gill, returning victorious from her quest to find a carriage to take Ami across the city. Drawn by a single horse, and open to the air it was little more than a buggy, with a evasive, rodent-like man riding upfront. As soon as he saw Ami step out of the house, he leapt from his bench seat and sketched a rough bow. "Jus' a mom'nt, Milady. I'll 'ave you up there in no time." He was rough, but he clearly knew his job, and had dealt with wealth passengers who were concerned about their clothes before. Without needing any prompting he placed a set of wooden steps near the buggy's side entrance, and pulled a pair of wooden planks off a carrying rack at the back. The planks he laid between the steps and Mistress Sevan's door, providing a clean, dry and slightly elevated path to walk on. After one last bow and series of 'thank you's, Ami boarded the buggy, followed by Mary who sat facing her, eyes wide with excitement. "I've never rode in a carriage before, Lady Ami. My sister's did on their weddings, but working at the Blessing, I've never needed to. Isn't it exciting?" Ami nodded vaguely, but her mind was rapidly coming to the conclusion that there must be a big difference between the buggy she was riding, and the occasional one you might see in parks or on television. Padding for the seats and leaf springs came to mind as the two leading options, and she silently added them to her list of "things to do" if she expected to ride anything like this often in the future. Ohh, even a horse was better. Without trying, the buggy seemed to find every rock, lump or pothole on the road, and several that may have just been specially placed there for the sake of the unwary traveller. The reception at the palace was far from what Ami had expected. If she - an ordinary girl - had turned up one day to say hello to the Emperor or the Prime Minister, the guards would have politely escorted her out, as soon as they finished laughing at her. Here, in this smaller, simpler time, money and appearance spoke volumes. The mere fact that she turned up formally dressed riding a carriage was enough to have her recognised as being "somebody", even if the guards could not guess just who she was. * * * Rather than laughing at her request to see the queen, the guards nodded their heads sombrely, and actually looked relieved when she requested it, rather than demanded it. Their demeanour eased even further when she produced the rolled and sealed document for them. In their eyes, any emissary that was willing to provide supporting documentation was someone to be taken seriously. While she was lead to a waiting room near the entrance of the palace - Mary was left with the carriage since she was "only" a maid - one of the industrious soldiers took her letter of introduction, and assured her that he would convey her invitation to the queen. In fact, the guard did not take the letter direct to the queen, instead contacting the chamberlain first while sending another man off to contact the head of the guard detachment on the palace that day. A single girl and her maid just visiting the palace did not warrant any extra protection, but more men would need to be alerted in case the queen did decide to meet with the stranger. Surprisingly, the chamberlain took one look at the sealed letter and rushed the guard on to speak to the queen herself, without opening the letter. As he walked down the hall, the guard studied the seal, trying to commit it to memory. The chamberlain had identified it as belonging to one of the great houses in Cairhien, the neighbouring kingdom immediately to Andor's east. Cairhien was known for playing "The Great Game", a constant vying for political influence and control that everyone who could afford to play, did so. To a Cairhienin politics and intrigue came as naturally as breathing, and if one of the Great Houses was planning on entangling Andor in their plans, the queen would need to be on top of the situation before things got out of hand. "A message for Her Majesty." Stated the guard, holding the note so it was visible. One of his colleagues guarding the tall, gilt doors nodded once and reached out to knock soundly. A few moments later a voice beckoned him inside. Pushing his way through the doors, the guard took in the sitting room in which his monarch was currently taking tea with her main advisor Elaida. Like everyone else in the queen's personal guard, he was a staunch supporter of both the queen and the White Tower. That was important, since Elaida was one of the Red Ajah, an Aes Sedai who was advising their queen. Because of the extended life that came with channelling the One Power, Aes Sedai made highly skilled advisors. Even the guard knew that if Cairhien was looking to involve them, it could potentially take all of the political acumen that their country possessed to extricate themselves diplomatically. "Your Majesty, Elaida Sedai, your pardon for interrupting. A young lady has arrived and wishes to speak with yourself. She has come bearing a missive from House Damodred of Cairhien." Walking forwards, he placed the note on the table near the queen, then withdrew. "The lady is currently waiting in the Green Room." "Thank you, Guardsman-Lieutenant. Please wait for us." Bowing smartly, the guardsman slipped outside again and took a position to the right of the doors. When they needed him, they would call, but until then, he would not consider intruding on his queen's privacy. "House Damodred... Do you think they are seeking an alliance, possibly a marriage to Galad? It would make sense, but their timing could not be much worse for the lady they sent, both Galad and Gawyn left for Tar Valon yesterday with the party guarding Logain." It was a strong possibility, the queen's dead husband had been a Damodred, and they were the second most powerful house in Cairhien. Marriages across multiple generations would go a long way to cementing the cordial relationship they enjoyed, and bolster Damodred's standing in the Great Game, possibly enough to allow them to ascend to the throne if no clear heir was available. "Were it House Damodred who contacted us, I would believe that to be likely," Elaida began before reaching out to touch the wax seal. "However that is not the seal of House Damodred. Note the Great Serpent used in place of the outer circle? That is the seal of Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai of the Blue." "Even more curious." If it was just a letter from Moiraine Sedai, the messenger would not have asked to see the queen directly. Well, there was really only one way to see just why an Aes Sedai was writing to her. With a single smooth motion, the queen ran her finger alone the seal, cracking the wax and unrolling the parchment. The writing was neatly done, clearly showing the educated hand that you would expect an Aes Sedai to possess. Reading aloud so that Elaida could also here, she began to peruse the missive. "Your Majesty, Morgase Trakand, Queen Of Andor. "I write to you concerning the young lady presenting this note, who goes by the name of Ami Mizuno. A complete description is provided on the next page, and if you have received this note from any other hand, I would recommend that you commence an immediate search for the girl in question. I believe that she warrants both your time and personal attention." Morgase raised a brow at that, although Elaida remained as stone faced as ever. Aes Sedai were notorious for hiding what they really thought, and rarely speaking directly. Receiving a letter from one of them that was both direct and to the point was almost unheard of. "I first encountered this girl on my travels some weeks ago, at which time she had just arrived in Andor. Although I would send her to the White Tower for training, events have occurred that prevent me from travelling there with her. Further, certain information has come to light that she may best hinder the plans of the Dark One by spending her time working in Caemlyn. "During the time that I have known the girl, she has shown herself to be of great intellect, and possessing a superior level of knowledge. Although I have been unable to verify the veracity of some of her claims, I can attest to the accuracy of others, and I have never caught the girl attempting to lie. It is important for you to recognise this, due to the nearly outrageous statements she is likely to make. A clear and unbiased mind is recommended for all dealings with Ami Mizuno. "I have seen signs that both Ami and Andor would benefit significantly should you spare the time to meet and assist her. As I cannot know the nature of her requests, I place no demands or strictures upon you to meet them. All I request is that should you decline, and that she desires to move on, may you provide sufficient guards and motivation that she should depart to Tar Valon as her only alternative destination, therein to meet with the Amyrlin Seat at her earliest convenience. "Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai." With a sign, Mogase lowered the parchment to the table and allowed it to curl up again before turning to her advisor. Elaida was sitting there stunned also. Neither woman could remember the last note they had received from any Aes Sedai that came anywhere near as clear or direct as that had been, for all of the uncertainty that it left. Moiraine may not have mentioned exactly how or why Andor would benefit from the woman's presence, but the inference - the clear statement even - remained that they would gain from talking to her. "Your thoughts?" "She must be a Wilder of some sort. That can be the only possible reason Moiraine was willing to allow her to wait before sending the girl on to the White Tower. If she is too old to begin the Novice's training and has already survived her first channelling, that would explain why she would be in no rush. As you know, most Wilders tend to develop skills of their own... I can only assume that the Mizuno girl has discovered something unusual and beneficial. Although how it could benefit Andor more than Tar Valon is beyond me, especially after teaching those present in the White Tower." Morgase shook her head. "You may be both right and wrong. What if she is a Dreamer, or like you has the gift of Foretelling? If her gift was linked to something specific - say the food or the people here - it may well explain why Moiraine thought she should come here first." Elaida nodded in contemplation for a while, then fixed the parchment with a glare that would have sent men running for their homes. "I have no appreciation of her telling us what to do, nor do I appreciate the tone that she has taken. Despite that, there remains only one real option to discover what she was hinting at. We must meet this lady and see for ourselves." "You are right, of course... Hmm, I think the main hall would be most suitable for this. I gather from Moiraine's letter the lady is inclined towards boasting. Perhaps this will help her keep perspective." * * * Following a new guard, Ami admired his uniform; resplendent in red and white with a silver armoured breastplate shining in the torchlight. Ami had thought the Children of the Light that they had encountered in Baerlon were almost archtypes of what templar soldiers should look like, but this man showed her just how far the difference could be between a hopeful and the genuine article. His uniform was perfect, and there was care, pride and attention in every millimetre of cloth. His leather belt and harness work shone, and the steel of his armour was so polished that you could see your face in it. Commitment and attention to detail were the difference. It was not just that the palace guard could afford to have a perfect appearance because he was in these clean surroundings rather than serving in the city proper as the Children had been. No, this man had pride. This man - and all the other palace guards that she had seen - possessed a pride in their appearance, a commitment to the queen and country they served that filled their every action. From the uniform they wore, to the way they stood, walked and spoke, these men served with all their hearts something that they felt was worth their very lives. Ami's eyes briefly flicked to the hilt of the man's sword and filed away everything that it meant too. Although the scabbard was as perfect and pristine as the rest of his leatherwork, the hilt was covered in a dark leather wrapping, the sort of darkness that came about through many hours of being held in a sweaty hand. This was a sword that was meant to be used, not a museum piece. Nor was it an affectation, a display item like the officer's swords that she had seen in military parades before. She did not delude herself that the weapon was there for the defence of the queen against her, not the other way around. Her escort stopped in front of pair of large, white and gold doors. On each side of the doors was a man holding a large ceremonial spear, their swords (equally serviceable to her escort's) were sheathed at their sides. "Ami Mizuno to see Her Majesty." "Her Majesty is expecting you. Please proceed." It sounded formulaic to Ami's ears, after all, who could possibly come here without the queen expecting her? For all of the formality involved, Ami did not begrudge them the time. She was well aware from her studies just how important rote procedures could be. The routine of checking a man's airway, breathing and circulation would appear as trite to someone unfamiliar with CPR, but that same approach could save a life. Her guide open the doors for her, and signalled her to proceed him into the room. The hall would have been close to the size of her school's main gymnasium, perhaps slightly longer. Where the school's gym was cheap wood and concrete, no expense was spared here. If there was a single square centimetre that was not gilded, covered in paintings, carved from the richest, darkest wood imaginable, or inlaid with marble or other fine materials, she could not find it. One of the sights Ami had long wanted to see if she had received the scholarship to study medicine in Germany was Mad King Ludwig's castle. Made famous by Walt Disney, the silhouette was seen at the start of every cartoon as Tinker Bell flew past it. More importantly, inside the castle was a fortune in history and decadence. From the pictures she had seen, Mad King Ludwig had driven his people into poverty creating splendour unmatched. Andor may not have been bankrupted to create this hall, but that only would have been because it was larger than Germany, and the hall was constructed and furnished over a far longer period. Pulling her eyes away from the architecture, Ami focused on the people in the room. They were all dressed of a quality to match the room itself. Guards were arrayed down the sides of the room, each one as perfect as the next. There, in the centre of the room on a small raised dais sat a woman who could only be the queen. Neither of the other people on the dais sat, so Ami had to assume the woman with the small tiara was the queen, especially since the person to her right was a man. Once they were near enough to the dais that they would not need to yell - but not close enough that Ami could dive at the queen with a dagger if she felt so inclined - her escort came to a halt and said in a loud voice. "Your Majesty, may I present to you the lady Ami Mizuno." Having said his part, the guard sank to one knee, one hand splayed out on the floor in front of him, the other one resting on the pommel of his sword. Giving a start and blushing for the fact that she had failed to ask Mary what to do now that she was here, Ami gave a low bow. "Your Majesty." Rising from her bow, Ami's eyes flicked around, catching a few displeased looks from those around her. "Err... Please excuse me, Your Majesty. I'm afraid I'm very new here, and I don't really know the proper etiquette. Ahh... Should I be kneeling? I... I don't quite think I can manage that in this dress..." The queen gave a chuckle. It was a friendly laugh, full of warmth, not mocking at the girls confusion. "Your bow shall be quite acceptable, although it is more normal for ladies to curtsey." "Curtsey? Oh... I'll ask someone to teach me how to Your Majesty." "You _are_ Ami Mizuno, are you not? Moiraine Sedai's letter said that you were a young lady; I hardly expected a child that should not be away from her parents yet." "Yes, Your Majesty, I am Ami Mizuno. As for my age... I'm afraid that there is nothing I could do about that. Events did not wait until I was older. If you will excuse me for saying so Your Majesty, I would rather have still been with my mother than meeting with you today." At the sharp intake of breath beside her, she hastily continued on. "By that, I mean to say that I wish there was no need for me to be here. I did not mean to imply any offence, I'm not terribly fluent in your language yet." "No offence was taken. Before we begin discussing why you are here, perhaps you can tell me where you came from. During my days I have received visitors from all across the land, from the Border Lands to Illian, and from Tremalking to the Waste, but I have never heard one that speaks as you do. You speak well, but your accent makes you hard to understand, even when speaking slowly." Ami silently cursed to herself. Her incredible memory allowed her to learn languages with great rapidity, but it gave no aid to pronunciation. Learning to separate L's and R's was hard enough; getting the rolling R's that the German's used so often was pure murder. "Are you familiar with the theory of parallel worlds, Your Majesty?" The queen shook her head, then glanced at the middle aged woman beside her. Other than a marginal tightening of her eyes, she did not react for a time. "I have head of it, Your Majesty, although I cannot say more. Such ideas hardly seemed worthwhile pursuing at the time." When the queen looked back at her questioningly, Ami sighed. "Would it be sufficient for me to say that I come from quite incredibly far away? So far, that the place where I used to live is completely different from here. The people I lived with have never heard of Caemlyn or Andor, nor any of the other countries near here. "I arrived near here by accident, Your Majesty. I can't really say how I got here without a very long explanation. I can go into it if you want, but it would help if I had a pencil and some paper. It's hard enough to understand with a diagram, without it..." The queen looked as though she was going to say something, but a motion and whispered word from the woman beside her kept her silent for a moment. "For the time being, I shall allow that to suffice. We shall speak of it more later, and establish all of the facts behind your story." "Yes, Your Majesty." "Since you are from so far away, how did you come to know Moiraine Sedai?" "Oh, I met here in Edmond's Field. That's a little village in the Two Rivers. It's to the west of here. It's where I arrived." "The Two Rivers? Interesting. That is the second time in two days that place has come to my attention. Tell me, do you know of a boy named Rand al'Thor?" "Why, yes, Your Majesty. I came here with him. Did he come to speak to you before he left?" More harsh glances. Ami realised that perhaps she should not be the one questioning the queen. "He came by yesterday, quite uninvited. Is it true that he is a simple sheepherder from the Two Rivers?" "I'm sorry, but I can't really say for sure. I never actually visited his farm. He brought his father in sick the day after I arrived. But as far as I know they also grew tobac as well as the sheep." "Interesting. And what were you doing in the Two Rivers?" Ami's eyes flickered around, taking in the large numbers of guards and the two complete strangers behind the throne. "Your Majesty... this is actually rather sensitive. Moiraine Sedai told me that most people would be alarmed by this. Can we trust everyone? I mean no offence, Your Majesty." Her doubt clearly did not please the queen, but she indicated first the man to her right, then to the woman at her left. "I shall excuse your ignorance since you are not from here. This is Lord Gareth Bryne, Captain General of the Queen's Guard and my First Prince Of The Sword. This is Elaida Sedai, my most trusted advisor. Both I and Lord Bryne assure you that all of his men are beyond reproach, and do not know the meaning of the word fear. There are no finer soldiers in all the land than those that stand around you." "Oh, I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I didn't mean it like that, but Moiraine Sedai was most explicit. I'm sorry." "You are forgiven, Lady Ami. Now, if you will continue..." "Yes, Your Majesty. Actually, it's quite convenient that Elaida Sedai is here. If she was trained by the same people that Moiraine Sedai was, then she might be able to assist if my explanation is not clear enough." Taking a deep breath, Ami fixed her gaze on the queen. "The seals on the Dark One's prison are weakening, and the Forsaken are beginning to be freed. The reason that I came here is that Beryl had begun sending Dreadlords and Trollocs into my home land so that she could gather the energy necessary to break the Dark One free from its prison. I accidentally came here when we were attempting to pursue one of Beryl's Dreadlords back to where they came from so that we could free a friend of ours who had been taken." Ami stopped when she could see the queen was no longer concentrating on what she was saying. Instead she was trying to hold back laughter as hard as she could. "Oh, no, please continue. It just gets more interesting every moment. Please, go on, I wish to hear all about your friends and their amazing fight." Ami's brows creased and she unconsciously clenched her fist around a small, fat blue stick that sported the emblem of Mercury at one end. "Your Majesty, I do not have any proof with which to convince you that what I say is the truth." Biting off her words, Ami fixed a glare at the monarch. If there was one thing she could not tolerate, it was people mocking her when she was being completely serious, and there was nothing more serious that the fight against darkness. "However, Moiraine Sedai always found this most interesting, perhaps Elaida Sedai will also. MERCURY PRISM POWER! MAKE UP!" There, in full view of over thirty people, Ami transformed. With her Henshin stick held high, she rotated around streamers of water that came from nowhere while bathed in a blue light. Water coalesced around her body, shimmered then burst apart to reveal her white fuku. More water formed her boots and skirt, while her ribbons sprung fully formed in a flash of light. As always in this world, the power that filled her was rich and thick. She could feel a veritable ocean of water backing her powers, poised to cascade from her fingers at any target she may choose. Rotating again through her transformation, Sailor Mercury finally finished and struck a pose, one arm in front. "In my world, the Dragon Reborn is known as the Moon Princess, and it is my privilege to call that girl my friend. Like I, she is fourteen years old, and I proudly serve as her soldier, Sailor Mercury. Two months ago, when I came to this world, we were already fighting the Forsaken Beryl and her forces, and we were fighting them to a standstill. "I, and the other Sailor Senshi are reincarnated warriors from the Moon Kingdom. Like your Age Of Legends, the Moon Kingdom was destroyed, but it was Beryl that destroyed us by a sneak attack when we did not even know we were under threat. Queen Serenity sealed Beryl and the Dark One away so that they could no longer reach us, and she bound her Senshi to the Wheel, so that we would be reincarnated in a time when Beryl again threatened. "I cannot offer you any proof that Beryl is attacking. Nor can I offer any proof that the seals on the Dark One's prison are weakening. I cannot offer any evidence of what I say but who I am. You have the choice of believing what I say, and preparing your kingdom against the Dark One with my assistance, or I can do so without you. Moiraine Sedai advised me that Andor would benefit from what I know, but I will not allow you to mock my friends or what we fight for!" All around the room, people were shocked into immobility. After the sudden and spectacular transformation, it was unlikely that anyone caught and comprehended most of the words she said. Of all those present, only one person other than Ami was capable of acting for some time, and she reacted in fear. As soon as Ami commenced her transformation, Elaida saw more saidar channelled than she had seen one woman ever do. Delivered in a single, massive spike, Ami appeared to channel a bore directly at the True Source, where all the One Power originated, the Creator of the Wheel of Time. Then, linked by this bore, she drew in an held saidar, glowing with more power than any Aes Sedai could manage without an angreal. Seeing this display of unfettered power in the presence of her queen, Elaida immediately grasped onto saidar and formed the weaves to block Ami from the True Source. She sent out the weaves as soon as they were completed, only to have them curve around that massive pipe of saidar coursing from Ami to the Source itself. Forming them once more, Elaida stuck at the unnatural girl. The ability to channel was directly linked to age, and only girls in late puberty began to manifest the ability to channel, frequently being twenty years or more before they could channel at all. The girl had said she was fourteen, and that was believable, other than the fact that she was quite clearly channelling. Reaching up to her ear, Ami tapped the small blue stud earring that caused her visor to form. With this information overlay on her vision, she could easily see the weaves that Elaida was directing at her. Backed by the power of the Mercury Computer, the weaves were identified and compared against other similar structures the computer had recorded, rapidly defining and classifying them for the girl. "What are you doing, Elaida Sedai?" "I-Impossible! Any woman must protect themselves when they are being shielded! How is it that you can simply ignore what I am doing?" Indeed, while shielding someone who held saidar was harder than shielding someone who was not touching the True Source already, it was always possible to shield them unless they actively resisted. "Oh, so that's what it does. There's actually a very simple explanation, which I would be happy to share..." She trailed off suggestively. The queen, having finally gathered herself after the display of power in her throne room was quick to understand what the girl was implying. "Elaida, enough. Lady Mizuno is our guest, and she shall be treated appropriately. Lady Mizuno, I apologise for my earlier discourtesy. I had not expected you to be discussing events that are scarcely more than children's tales. Please continue." "Yes, Your Majesty." She could understand how difficult it would be to believe what she had said, but at least Moiraine had listened seriously. Then again, Moiraine did have the advantage of seeing Ami as a Senshi first, then a young girl later. For that matter, Moiraine had also been almost expecting the idea that the Dark One was being freed. "As I said, where I come from is very, very far away. So far in fact, that no one can use the One Power unaided. That is what my transformation does. It gives me access to the One Power, and lets me channel. But since we are so far away, all the power I can normally get is very weak. Elaida Sedai, I would suggest that unless you are powerful enough to breach the dimensional barriers that my suit is designed to overcome, you will not be able to shield me." The Aes Sedai glared at her, but at least she ceased her channelling. It was only when she stopped did Ami notice the drawn swords around the room, and the raised hand of the Captain-General of the Queen's Guard. "Lady Mizuno, please understand our position. We do not allow anyone to bring weapons into the presence of our queen, and by your own assertion, you are a soldier under the service of another queen. I would ask you to release your hold on the power to Elaida Sedai's satisfaction." "Oh, my apologies for that, Lord Bryne, but it seemed the only way to get people's attention. I'm afraid I can't release it while I'm like this, so I'm going to drop my transformation. Err, I just thought I had better warn you this time." The de-transformation was quite anticlimactic, a simple glow of light and she was restored to her normal clothes. Elaida made a few brief motions, then sat back, looking much more calm and satisfied with herself. Seeing the way the Aes Sedai relaxed, the men eased their weapons back into the sheaths when Gareth Bryne indicated. "I would ask you not to transform again, if I may, Lady Mizuno. Please consider it a gesture of trust to Her Majesty." Before Ami could respond, Elaida spoke up, looking for all the world like she was a cat that had just found an unattended bowl of cream. "I don't think we will need to worry about that from now on, Lord Bryne." Ami spared her a quick, grumpy look before giving a short bow to the queen and Lord Bryne. "As you wish, Sir. I assume you just shielded me, Elaida Sedai? I'm afraid I cannot see the weaves when I'm like this, Moiraine Sedai did not have enough time to teach me how to channel. However, I would remind you that my transformation was specifically designed to piece barriers and connect me to the One Power." Feeling the tension and dislike in the woman beside her, the queen held up a hand to quell her before she could start anew. "Lady Mizuno, I think we are all willing to believe your tale at this time. There is obviously much that we will need to discuss further, but we still have not addressed the main purpose of this meeting. If you would continue?" "Yes, Your Majesty. As I was saying, the Dark One's prison is weakening, and the dark is rising. Already we have seen a large number of trollocs in Andor. They were chasing Moiraine Sedai and the people she had with her. "To keep this as brief as possible, Your Majesty, I will simply say that world I come from is much more advanced than yours. Although I don't know how to channel, there is a lot that I do know, and even more in the Mercury Computer. What I would like to propose is that I work with you to provide as much of our knowledge and technology as possible." "That is very generous, Lady Mizuno. And what will you gain from this?" "To hold the Dark One at bay." "Perhaps you did not understand my question properly. What would like from us in exchange for this assistance you are offering? Do you seek gold or lands or horses?" Ami shook her head. "Your Majesty, I am one of the Sailor Senshi, we fight for love and justice. The only way I can save Usagi, my mother, and all my friends is to help defeat the Dark One here and now. Moiraine Sedai gave me some gold, so I have enough to keep fed for some time to come; all I really need is the support of yourself and your country to defeat the forces of darkness. When the armies of trollocs come to attack, all I can hope is that I can help enough that your people will survive and that the Dark One will be defeated. If I am asking so much of you already, how could I possibly ask for more?" "Truly, you are a most unusual girl, Lady Mizuno. What assistance would you require from us?" "Advice initially, Your Majesty. That is all. I have only been here two months, and I have been travelling most of that time. I know almost nothing about your world, what your technology is like, where the trollocs may come from or what they are after. I really don't know how much time we have left. If I had one or two hundred years, I would probably have followed Moiraine Sedai to the White Tower and learned to channel. With the information I have from the Moon Kingdom, I may have been able to do something quite amazing. As it is... I really need to know more first. Later, I expect I would need your permission to carry out some of the plans we will come up with." "I see. I'm sure Lord Bryne would be quite happy to assist and advise you. He would be the man leading our armies should trollocs attack. I am sure he would be equally interested in establishing when this is likely to occur. Can you provide us an indication of what sort of plans you may have? Of this 'technology' you mention?" Ami opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, then looked away and blushed while covering her mouth with her hand. "Please excuse me, Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's quite difficult to explain. Perhaps the easiest way would be for me to do a simple demonstration? I could get something simple together sometime soon... Say tomorrow? It would be quite rushed, but I've got one idea that should be adequate." "A demonstration would be very good, yes." "Hmm... Let's see... I'll need somewhere fairly large and open to be able to do it. A field, or something like it. If possible, I would also really like some help finding what I need in the city. I think I can probably get everything necessary, but I've only been here three days, and I don't really know the right places to look." "Certainly. Gareth? Whom would you recommend?" "Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvor! Escort Lady Mizuno, and ensure she can find whatever it is she needs." The man that had escorted her in initially - and then drew his sword on her later, when he realised she may be more of a threat than her small frame suggested - stood to attention and braced himself. "Sir!" "Guardsman-Lieutenant," Ami began tentatively. "If I may ask, could you please wear something other than your uniform? I'll need to change before going out into the city, and I would rather that we did not advertise to everyone exactly what we are buying by having someone in a bright uniform being with me. What I'll be making... Well, it's quite dangerous." Gareth plainly did not look happy that Ami intended to demonstrate something that was 'quite dangerous' to his queen, but there was little he could say. The whole purpose of the demonstration was to illustrate how a single girl could help make one of the greatest armies in the world even better. If that did not come under the heading of 'dangerous', he did not know what would. Of course, how you could prepare something in a single day that would make a girl like her dangerous was beyond his knowledge, which he supposed might be the other purpose of the demonstration: to show them how little they did know. With acceptance all around, Ami said her goodbyes, promising to meet them at lunch the next day. Lieutenant Tallanvor was familiar with the cavalry training ground that his commander identified, and would have no problems ensuring they arrived on time. As she left the audience and requested Mary to bring her one of her older dresses and dismiss the carriage, Ami felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. She had managed to sound brave in from of the queen and her advisors, but inside she was terrified. Now she just needed to pull off a small miracle and she could set herself up to do more work than she had ever dreamed of. With motivation like that, she wondered why her stomach felt worse, not better. * * * Getting changed and ready took a good couple of hours, since both she and Guardsman Lieutenant Tallanvor needed to send someone back to their home and fetch the clothes they would be wearing. Nonetheless, after a time they were both ready, and met outside the stables for the palace since that was considered an appropriately subtle point of departure. Ami for one was glad that she would not be passing the same gate guards wearing her sturdy, comfortable and generally inelegant clothes. "Good afternoon, Master Tallanvor." "Good afternoon to you, Lady Mizuno. Err... Should I change again? I assumed that you would be in something slightly more... formal... than you are." She smiled. He was dressed quite neatly in some presentable clothes. Where she would be mistaken for a scullery servant, he would more likely be taken as an off duty butler or moderately successful trader. "No, that's really quite fine. I'm afraid I arrived in your world without any warning, so these are the only clothes I have." "What? That's terrible. I shall speak to Her Majesty this evening. There is no reason for someone of your stature to be in such a situation." "Oh, please don't, it would be terribly embarrassing. Besides, Mary introduced me to a very nice seamstress. She's making me some more clothes already. I assure you, I'll be quite presentable soon." Tallanvor chuckled, and placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. It was the same sword as he wore with his dress uniform, but unlike the armour and royal colours it would not seem out of place; even Rand had worn his sword throughout the city. "Where to first, Lady Mizuno?" "First, I think we should get something easy. This vial contains Sulphuric Acid, what you would normally call Oil Of Vitriol." Heading out the stable gates, she kept talking as the man walked beside her. Wherever they would get it, she knew they would need to be away from the palace, so there was no point in delaying. Assuming she could get everything she needed, she would need all the time she could get, especially if she wanted any sleep before tomorrow. "I actually got it a couple of days ago from a man that did sword etching. He would paint a thick oil onto the metal, then wash it with the acid. Naturally, the oil prevented the acid from etching the metal, so he would be able to work in a fine design in the negative of what he painted, without deeply scratching the metal with carving tools." Her guide nodded his head thoughtfully. "Aye, I've heard of the technique. It can weaken a blade some, and damage the temper if not done properly, so most soldiers won't use for a sword in battle, but it works well enough if a young lord wants something fancy. I think I know the man we'll be wanting; or a good place to start. His home is across the city, so we've a walk of an hour or more. Should I borrow some horses, Lady Mizuno?" "Oh, I think I would much rather walk." She gave a mock shiver. "I only rode a horse for a week, and I never truly enjoyed it. We walked most of the distance from Whitebridge to here, and that was much nicer. I'm sure a short walk would be no problem if..." "If, my Lady?" "If you can stop calling me Lady Mizuno. I would be much more comfortable if you would just call me Ami." "Lady Ami it is then." "Actually, I did mean just Ami. Mary only started calling me Lady Ami two days ago when Moiraine Sedai asked her to help me. Everyone else I knew used to call me Ami or Ami-chan." "After the display you put on for Her Majesty earlier, I thought you would be insisting on your title. You were certainly firm enough, and anyone who can honestly say they are one of the reincarnated heroes from the Age Of Legends deserves the title." Blushing from her collar to her hairline, Ami suddenly found the frozen mud and cobblestones of the street very interesting. "I can't believe I did that now, I just feel so embarrassed. I'll really have to apologise to everyone. I just... After coming all this way, after losing everyone I loved, my friends and family, to have someone laugh at the fight against the Dark One, that had cost me so much..." Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Ami turned around to stare up at the face of the man standing next to her. He was handsome, for a Caucasian, but not as good as Usagi's boyfriend Mamoru was. Probably a few years older than Rand or Matt, he would have been the same age as Haruna- sensei, her home room teacher at school. "I'm sorry for that also. It must have been hard for you, but please understand how we felt. A girl we hardly knew - still a child - comes and declares that the world is about to end and she is there to save us. Moiraine Sedai must have been an incredible person to have believed you right away. If it helps, I believe you now... Ami." "Thank you, that means a lot to me, Master Tallanvor. Something tells me we will be spending a lot of time working together in the future." "You have the Foretelling also?" His voice rang with surprise, but there was no scepticism. "No, no, no. Just women's intuition, I guess. I was just thinking that if they assigned this to you now, Captain-General Bryne must trust you an awful lot. If he trusts you that much, I'm sure he'll trust you even more in the future." "This... This 'technology' you will be showing us. It truly is so powerful? So dangerous compared to the One Power?" "Hmm... No, what I'm doing today is not very much compared to what I saw Moiraine Sedai do once to an army of trollocs that were chasing us. The big difference is that anyone can use this. Moiraine Sedai said that Aes Sedai train for years, decades even. Once this is made, how much training do you need to throw it at you enemy?" She ended with a small shrug. Guns and bombs would make short work of trollocs and Fades; and would have been effective back on her world too, but police in Japan did not carry pistols, and the army could not get there in time. But if they need to face down five hundred trollocs in an open battle like they faced at Shadar Logoth, then she could give Andor the weapons to make a difference. "We should be there soon enough, but before we see this man, perhaps you should start calling me Martyn if I am to call you Ami." Ami started at him with shock and horror on her face. She couldn't do that! How disrespectful would it be for her to act so casual with a man almost old enough to be her father (although in reality, her parents had been "late starters" due to their successful careers). "But that just wouldn't be proper!" Giving her a confused - even baffled - look the dark haired guard pointed out a non-descript store slotted into the middle of a similar row of shops. Various signs were hanging outside, but she paid them no mind as she entered with Tallanvor on her heels. "Master Davis! Master Davis, are you back there, Sir?" For a gently spoken man, he could be awfully loud when the need arose. "I'm here. I'm here. What's all this shoutin' abou' then?" The man that came out from the back would best be described as gnarled. He was hunched and slightly twisted, but it looked like the result of a back injury or simply bad posture, rather than a birth defect. His hands were scared and rough, like knotted branches of trees, and all nine of his fingers were stained a variety of different colours. "Master Davis, I would like you to meet a... a friend of mine called Ami Mizuno. I've told her you might be able to help her find something she is looking for." Giving Tallanvor a quick glare, he lurched over to stand in front of Ami, and slowly looked her up and down. It was not lecherous, simply a man who felt no need to hide his curiosity. "Foreigna', eh? Gotta be from the north, eh? All strangers up th're." "Yes, I'm from a long way off, Master Davis." She bowed. Spitting out a stream of chewing tobac to the side, he nodded back. "Don' fancy bowin' no more. Hurts too much. What ya' want, girl? Gunna make some paint? Ain't got that sorta stuff." "No, Sir. Not paint. I was actually hoping you might have a supply of Aqua Fortis." "Aqua Fortis... Can't say I remember tha' one... Wait a minit'... Aye, I used ta' know someone who made tha', but 'e poisoned 'imself. Tryin' to branch out, 'e was. Poisons and medicines and t'ings. No. Don' have none of that. Anythin' else, girl?" "Is there likely to be anyone else in Caemlyn who could make it? Anyone that might have a supply?" "Could be. Could be. I'd not know who they are, but could be." Another wad of tabac went splat against the floor. Shifting nervously, Ami wondered exactly what she might be standing on. "Oh... Well, that doesn't matter too much, I suppose. How about Oil Of Vitriol? I got this vial from blacksmith a bit east of the main gates." "Lemme see..." Taking the vial, he uncorked it and had a quick sniff. While Ami reached forwards in a panic, he gave a few harsh, hacking coughs. "Phew, strong stuff. Hmm... Not sure I go' somethin' tha' strong... Gimme a sec..." Digging around through his disorganised shack he started shifting bottles and jars filled with a variety of pastes, mixtures, concoctions and the occasional moving creature. "Aye, you'd be a lucky girl, you are. Got me a few bottles. Gunna sell 'em soon." Eyeing the glass jars he set on his counter, she was more impressed by the workmanship of his glassware than the amount he possessed. "Is that all?" "Blood an' bloody ashes, Girl! What ya' wan' it for? You goin' swimmin'?" Before Ami could answer, Tallanvor spoke up, breaking in assertively. "That's not something for you to be worrying about, Master Davis. If you don't have as much as she needs, we can always go elsewhere." When the man turned back to look again, Ami quickly pulled out the Mercury Computer and scanned the bottles. The purity was reasonably good, but they were substantially more dilute than the sample she had gotten from the etcher. If the quantity was right, that would not matter, she could easily enough cope with a low concentration. Giving a quick pull on Martyn's sleeve, she pulled his ear down to mouth level and whispered quietly. "If he's got some more, this will be fine. Here's all the gold I've got left from Mary. Please don't pay too much, it's not very good quality." Nodding, Tallanvor relaxed slightly when the man finally produced another two bottles. A small nod from Ami was sufficient for him to begin haggling, and in no time they were the proud owners of some dilute acid. Since this was going to be the most bulky purchase of the day, they paid a little more for Master Davis to have it delivered to the Queen's Blessing in Ami's name. Once outside the store, the guard looked down at his charge. "What's next on your list, Ami?" "If I'm going to make that Sulphuric Acid into Nitric, I'm going to need some Sodium Nitrate." "I'm not even going to ask what that is." "Oh, don't worry, it's quite common. Master Davis had some. We should be able to find it at any decent alchemist." "But... Why don't we just get it all here, if you know he's got it?" "Master Tallanvor, at this point in time, you have no concept of what can be done with Nitric Acid, or the sorts of things that can be derived from it. Maybe I'm being silly, but the idea of introducing that sort of knowledge willy-nilly into this world makes me shiver in fear. If I have to go to every alchemist in this city, and take another week to prepare the demonstration, I think I'll have to. Maybe when you see my demonstration, you'll think I'm being terribly silly, but I've heard so many sorties from my world about how the government hides things... I think I'm beginning to understand why." "As you wish... I'm simply here to be your guide." "Thank you, Master Tallanvor. But I do appreciate your advice." "So... We need this 'Sodium Nitrate' thing, and what else?" "Quicksilver, that's a must. Master Gil at the Queen's Blessing might have some ethanol, but I doubt it. Perhaps someone that brews strong spirits? I mean very strong drink, probably very rough and hard to drink." Heading off, he looked down at her while avoiding a passing rider. "You sound like you know your drinks. I'm surprised a girl your age would be drinking this 'ethanol'." "Oh, it's not fit to drink, not really. The sort of alcohol you drink is quite similar to ethanol, but chemically it is different. Pure ethanol is actually poisonous. That's why I want the very strong, harsh drink... Probably a clear spirit, too. If they've fermented it the way I need, their alcohol will contain more than normal ethanol. It wouldn't be very healthy for the drinker, but it would probably be able to knock a man out faster than anything. My mother was a doctor, you see. Although she specialised in children, I would often visit her at work, and there were some very sick people there. Long term drinkers of home made spirits." "I see." He did not see really, but how to you explain to a girl half your age that she lost you half way through her explanation? They spent most of their afternoon going from one shop to another, collecting quite a range of vital ingredients. The culmination of their efforts was a late trip to a glass worker to have her make some beakers, tubes and dishes that Ami needed. Shockingly, it was this relatively simple glassware that ate most of the money they spent. Glass was both rare and expensive, and good quality workmanship was equally expensive, since apprenticeships were hard to come by. Nevertheless, the goods she finally came away with were of an adequate quality, even if they were inferior to the cheap Pyrex equipment in her high school chemistry lab. Making her way back to the Queen's Blessing with Tallanvor she was thoroughly relieved she did not need to have a pipette made for this little exercise, that surely would have blown the budget. * * * Martyn Tallanvor arrived at the Queen's Blessing half way through the next morning clad in the full splendour of his Royal Guard's uniform. Moving through the crowd he nodded hello to the occasional patron and smiled at the old gleeman tuning up his harp on the stage. It was early for a gleeman to be working, especially on a day as fine as this, but perhaps he owed the Master money, and was working it off. "Can I help you, Sir?" A serving girl. His uniform was clearly different from one of the normal town guard that may have stepped in to ensure everything was peaceful, so anyone may have guessed he was doing something more than observing. "Yes, I'm looking for someone who is staying here. The Lady Ami Mizuno. Would you be able to tell her that Guardsman- Lieutenant Tallanvor is here for her?" "Certainly, Master Tallanvor. If you'd like to take a seat, I'll set Mary to raising Lady Ami. Err... Would you like something while you wait? She might be a little while getting ready and all, Sir." Scratching his head in confusion, the man took the offered seat and finally gave in to his curiosity. "We're halfway to lunch as it is. What could she possibly be doing in bed still?" "Oh, it's not that she's sleeping late, Sir. It's just that she's been working the whole night through. My, but she is a busy little girl. Out all day shopping and getting ready, then up all night playing around in Master Gill's storeroom out the back. I heard her talking to Mary at breakfast, she did. Didn't sleep a wink last night, only finished up a few hours ago. Cook will be getting angry with her if she keeps that up; it's no way for a young girl to grow up, I say. Staying up all night, doing who knows what out in the dark and the cold all by herself. She should be thinking about getting herself a husband, that's what she should be doing." "Do you know what she was doing?" It would not say much for Ami's sense of security if she had them travel all over the city for the components they needed, then immediately told all the serving staff at the inn. "Oh, no, Sir. She wouldn't breath a peep, not to Mary or even Master Gill. And that's not right either. Asking Master Gill to look the other way while she uses his own stockroom. I know it's the end of winter, and we've not much wood left in there, but it's the principle of the thing. A girl should respect the master of the inn, that she should." "Well, I'm sure her reason was good. But I can't afford to sit around talking all morning, as much as I may desire it. Could you please pass the word on to Mary, and we'll see whether Lady Mizuno is ready for her demonstration this day." "Burn me, but I do talk a bit. I'll be back in a minute, in case you want that drink." Thankful that the chatty maid was gone for the moment, he looked around, but even the gleeman was gone. At this time of the day the inn was practically deserted, with almost every man off working somewhere, and only a skeleton staff cleaning up and looking after a couple of travellers who were quietly talking over a meal in the corner. By the time Mary got the message and went up to Ami's room, the girl was already awake and talking to Thom. Entering quietly so as not to disturb the conversation, Mary stood against the wall and remained inconspicuous. It was a talent she had nurtured over the years, and it served her just as well for getting out of work as it did for helping her hear all the juiciest bits of gossip. "What were you thinking, Lass, asking him to meet you here?" "I thought it would be a good idea to have someone give me an escort to the demonstration. What I'll be carrying around is really not very safe, and I would hate to have some sort of accident because I got pushed in a crowd." "Not that! Burn me, couldn't you have just asked Master Gill to have one of his muscle boys escort you? Lamgwin could have made shorter work of a crowd than a Guardsman." "I don't see what the problem is, unless... Thom, don't tell me that Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvor is related to that woman you broke up with? I'm sorry, Thom, I really am, but you did not give me much information about the woman you had a falling out with." "Not enough information?! Who do you think that man works for?" "Gareth Bryne, the Capitan-General of Andor... Oh my goodness, Thom! Don't tell me you managed to upset the Capitan-General." Running his hands through his white hair in frustration, Thom began to pace the small room. "I didn't do anything to him, other than make him look a bit foolish when he could not find me. No, it was person he works for that I managed to yell at." Ami looked blank for a moment, her brain sifting through what little she had gained of Andoran military ranks from yesterday's conversations. "I thought Capitan-General was the highest rank..." "Morgase Trakand." Another blank look. "By the grace of the Light, Queen of Andor, High Seat of House Trakand..." Ami's mouth dropped open and for a brief, horrified moment it formed a perfect 'O'. "You managed to insult the Queen?! To get her so upset that she sent the Capitan-General of the royal guard after you? Oh, Thom." "Well, Morgase did always have a bit of a temper on her, but I'll wager that any woman would not have been happy with what I said, especially one that had spent time at the White Tower." "Oh, I'm so sorry, Thom. I just didn't realise who the 'Morgase' was that you mentioned. Even after I met the Queen yesterday, no one even gave me her name. I think everyone just assumed that I would know who the queen of Andor was. How can we get you out here without being seen?" Giving a small cough, Mary stepped forwards, taking that as her cue to be heard and seen again. "If I might suggest something, Lady Ami? Perhaps if you just got ready and left with the Guardsman-Lieutenant as quickly as possible, then Master Merrilin would have nothing to worry about any more." They both looked at her in amazement for a moment, before Thom blushed and coughed into his hand. "Yes, of course that is something we could do. No need for us to go running around in a panic now, is there. Blood and ashes, Girl, I'm glad one of us can keep their head. That being the way things are, I think I'll be going back to my room for a time. I've a sudden need to restring my harp, I think." With that sorted out, it only took another twenty minutes for Ami to appear downstairs with Mary on her heels. She was wearing a different dress from yesterday, not quite as nice, but more presentable than anything else she owned. Since Mistress Sevan could not produce new clothes for her instantly, Master Gill had actually arranged for his eldest granddaughter to lend her feastday dress. The girl was slightly younger than Ami, but her larger body made the dress a good fit. Master Gill may have not known what Ami was doing, or what the girl was involved in, but after meeting countless people over the years, he felt he had come to be a good judge of people. Ami possessed an earnest intensity that said she fully expected to work hard for what she was going to achieve, and she expected that hard work to yield results. The girl seemed to be a shooting star on the social and political scene, and anyone that had the ear of the queen and one of the royal guard was worth cultivating as a friend. "Good morning, Guardsman-Lieutenant. I hope you are well." Ami bowed in greeting, causing the man to jerk up from his seat and give an abortive bow in return. "Quite well, thank you. But by the sounds of it, I'm the one who got a full night's sleep, not you." Waving that aside, Ami lead him out the back of the building to where firewood was stockpiled during summer to cover the demands of the winter. While cheap in summer, wood became fiendishly expensive in the depths of winter, and Master Gill had long ago realised the advantage of tacking an extra structure onto the back of the inn. Taking a large key from her pouch, Ami undid a lock the size of both her fists, then opened the door, showing the way into a room covered in wood shavings. Along one wall, arrayed on a simple table, Tallanvor could make out the glassware and alchemical components they had bought yesterday. "What is it we need for the demonstration?" Bending down, Ami picked up a wooden crate apparently filled with hay. "Just this. Master Tallanvor, I tested out some very small quantities of what I made last night, and they worked properly, so I'm going to have to stress to you just how dangerous this is. If I drop this box from even just this height, the contents might explode. If it does that, anybody within ten meters is likely to die. I can carry this without any problems like I am, so if you can make sure that no one comes close enough to bump me, that would be greatly appreciated." Looking at the box with a degree of scepticism, he nodded slowly. "If it is that dangerous, I think it would be better if I got someone else to carry it. If you can make something like that in just one night, I think we would be well advised to keep you around and find out what you can do given more time." "Actually... I'll probably be able to survive. You see, before I dressed I transformed into Sailor Mercury, then I put on this dress over the Sailor Suit. Since I knew I would need it, I spent a while last night and found out how to disable what the documentation called the Recognition Interdiction Field. Besides, I don't think I would be able to live with the idea of making someone else do it for me. If it is too dangerous for me, then it would be too dangerous for them too." Knowing he would not be able to shake her from her decision - and not knowing whether it was worth trying to dissuade her - the guardsman acquiesced. Indicating for her to follow him, he led her onto the street, and began to warn away travellers as they occasionally came close to the girl. His uniform was authority enough to achieve that, and they only once needed to move to the side of the rode and wait as a merchant's convoy made its way past them kicking up dirt and mud. They arrived at the training ground that was being used for the demonstration with over an hour to spare; it was never a good idea to keep royalty waiting, especially if you were trying to impress them. With Tallanvor's help, she had one of the groomsmen that worked there stand guard over the unassuming wooden box, while another two helped with final preparations. Standing in a line like soldiers on parade, or perhaps more accurately like men before a firing squad, a trio of the cavalry's training dummies were set into the ground on their posts. Normally the wood and straw constructs were used by the lancers or horse archers as target practice, so the training ground went through them on a regular basis and had no objection to losing a few more of them for their queen. Spaced where the forth dummy would have been, Ami had a man did the post hole deeper than normal - well over a meter this time - but not place anything in there. It would be needed for the finale of her demonstration, something not even Tallanvor had been told about yet. With all the preparations done, Ami dropped her transformation, producing no more apparent change than the loss of her white gloves and tiara. Walking over to where the guardsman was talking to the ground's support staff, she stood deferentially to the side and waited for him to notice her. After just a short while, the groom pointed her out with a nod, and she returned his attention with a short bow. "Guardsman-Lieutenant, how much longer do you think they will be?" A shrug and a glance at the sun. "Not much longer, I'll wager. Her Majesty and Lord Bryne are to be meeting with two of the High Seats this afternoon to talk of the troubles in Murandy and Far Madding now that the False Dragon has been brought down. I'd expect they'll not be able to spare you much time, despite what they showed them." "Oh... Well, I certainly hope I can keep their interest with what I've prepared. I'm afraid its not terribly impressive, but it was hard to do much in just one day." "Don't fret, Lady Ami. I'm sure that you've done the best you could." Looking up in the man's eyes, Ami fixed his with a iron stare at odds to her normally demure attitude. "The lives of all my friends and the six billion people who live on my world may hinge on whether we can defeat the Dark One here, or at least hold him at bay. Doing 'my best' may not be good enough, but I do thank you for trying to make me feel better." "Err... Yes... Look! Here they come now!" The queen and Elida rode in a gilded carriage, functionally the same as the one Ami had ridden in, but probably worth the price of a good sized house in inner Tokyo. The Capitan-General and their retinue of guards rode horses so fine and healthy that even Ami had to admire their glossy coats and stately bearing. When the Queen and Elida dismounted, the two approached, giving a bow in greeting. "Good morning, Your Majesty. I'm afraid I was fully occupied last night, and I did not get time to learn how to curtsey." Morgase smiled warmly. "Fear not, Lady Ami. You bow is quite sufficient, I assure you." "Thank you, Your Majesty. In that case, we are almost ready to begin the demonstration. Lord Bryne, may I request that you move all of the horses back a distance? We will be making quite a bit of noise, I'm afraid, and I think it will alarm them." He gave her a searching gaze for a moment and considered. "Aye, I can move the horses back, but the men will stay here." "Oh, I wouldn't think of asking you to abandon your posts! I just didn't want to scare the animals." Pausing for a while to let the captain of the guard detail off some men with the horses, she took a quick look around, and spotted a pair of wooden stakes she had placed in the ground as distance markers. "Now, if everyone could please follow me over to the marker, we'll be in position to start the demonstration." The marker itself was fifty metres from the training dummies, the length of an Olympic swimming pool. Looking back at the dummies again, Ami thought they seemed awfully close, and hoped that everything would be all right. "The purpose of today's demonstration is to show you something called 'explosives'. An explosion is the rapid conversion of a solid or liquid into a gaseous state, normally with an associated production of heat, light or sound as a result of what is called an exothermic reaction... I'm sorry if that sounds confusing, but I'm afraid that without a frame of reference for some of these things, it is terribly difficult to explain them to you, but that is why we are out here on this winter's day. "Firstly, there are a few safety precautions that we will be taking, and nothing in this demonstration will proceed without them. What I made last night is considered to be a very unstable and dangerous explosive; this means that while it will explode well, it is quite risky to use. If everyone looks over that way, you'll see a wooden box, about a hundred meters away? That contains the explosives for the demonstration. I would ask that no one approaches the box without my explicit instructions." "You would tell your queen what she can and cannot do on her own land?" Morgase did not sound angry, more challenging. "I really am sorry, Your Majesty, but yes. Unless everyone obeys the rules, it is simply too risky to proceed. Would you obey the Captain- General if he told you that he had captured an assassin, and you should not get too close to him?" With a nod of her head, the Queen acceded and said no more on the subject. "With your permission, Lord Bryne, Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvour, I would like Master Tallanvor to conduct the demonstration under my instructions. This way Elaida Sedai can verify that I had nothing to do with what occurs." When everyone had agreed, Ami pointed to the targets. "We will begin by destroying those training dummies. I've been told that they are not as tough a person, and definitely weaker than a trolloc, but it is the best that could be provided on short notice. Now, before we start, I would like to say that one of the goals of this is to show that someone with little or no training can use what I am producing. You don't need to spend five years learning to be a master swordsman or archer. Nor do you need to spend the decades required to be an Aes Sedai. Up until this point, Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvor has not seen, nor been told any more about what I produced than what you have just heard. All of his training will be conducted right in front of you. "Guardsman-Lieutenant? If you would follow me?" Once they were out of earshot of the observers, Tallanvor spoke softly. "You never said anything about me needing to do the work. What if I get it wrong, or cannot use your 'explosives'? A failure on my part could ruin your who plan." Favouring him with a smile, Ami leaned over the box and pulled out a few handfuls of hay to reveal a small ceramic jar and some pieces of wood. Passing the wood to the handsome guard, she gently picked up the jar and stood again. "Oh, I don't think you need to worry, its not exactly rocket science, Master Tallanvor. Besides, even if you miss, I think it should be fairly spectacular." When they reached the first post in the ground, a mere twenty-five metres from the dummies, Ami faced the audience and raised her voice. "I'll now start the Guardsman-Lieutenant's training. This will only take a couple of minutes." "All right then, My Lady. What should I do?" He was evidently steeling himself up for a great physical or mental challenge. "See those pieces of woods you are holding? I measured them last night, and they weight the same as this jar. One at a time, throw them at the first dummy." "The dummy is firmly set, Lady Ami, I already checked it. There's no need to see if it can survive being hit by something this light. The grooms are used to setting them against a lancer's charge, after all." "It's not that, really, I trust all of you, I'm sure you know much more about setting this up than I do. No, I just want to make sure that you can hit the dummy." "Hit a man at forty paces? With something this size? Are you serious? My Lady, I'm one of the Queen's royal guards. If I could not put a dagger in a man at that range, Lord Bryne would have my ears, aye, and I'd be handing them to him." "Well then, it should be easy for you, right?" Her smile was guileless, but laughter made her blue eyes twinkle. "As you wish." With that, he threw all three pieces of wood in quick succession, each one bouncing firmly off the torso of the dummy. "As My Lady commands, so do the Queen's Guard serve." "Well done. You're much better at that than I am. Here, hold this, and whatever you do, don't drop it." Passing him the jar, she faced the audience once more. "Thank you for your patience, Your Majesty, Lord Bryne, Elaida Sedai. I must admit, I did not expect Guardsman- Lieutenant Tallanvor to be so proficient at throwing. The Guardsman- Lieutenant will be targeting the first dummy of to the left. Please be warned, when he throws the jar, you can expect a lot of noise, and some smoke. Master Tallanvor, if you please?" With a final look at the innocent looking jar in his hand, Martyn Tallanvor pulled back his arm, then let fly. Needless to say, no one expected what happened when the jar hit the dummy. There was a great crash, as though thunder had struck from the clear blue sky, and a sudden gust of wind tugged at his hair. The dummy was obscured for a moment with white smoke, then it cleared in the gentle breeze, showing a hole had been carved out of the side, larger than a man's head. "Hmm... Fairly successful. Your Majesty, as you can see, a single one of these would be sufficient to kill or wound a man, or probably a trolloc too. Again, the only skill you need to use it is the ability to throw something. I'm afraid that I had never made any explosives before, so I did not really know how much to put in each of them, so I made a few different sizes. If you will give me a few moments to fetch the next one, I shall proceed with the demonstration." The audience was fairly quiet at that time. Although the explosion was quite loud and disconcerting, the damage done was not enough to impress an experienced soldier like Gareth Bryne, or a wielder of the One Power like Elaida Sedai. To be of any real use, you would have to hit on target every time, and the chances of that happening were no better than with a dagger or javelin, and they were safer for the infantry to carry. Again Tallanvor threw the three requisite blocks of wood, each slightly heavier this time. Getting nods from Ami and the Lord Bryne, he threw the jar. It was the same size as last time, but must of contained more of this 'explosive', since the 'bang' was so loud it hurt his ears. This time, he not only felt the wind rush past, there was also a distinctive 'ting' as something ricocheted off his shiny breastplate. If was not enough to have hurt him, no more than a stone kicked up by a passing horse, but it was a surprise. This time when the smoke cleared, all that remained of the central dummy was the wooden post, and that was shorn off half way up. The first dummy now leaned at a slightly drunken angle, while the third dummy - as yet unused - was half shredded, as though one of the grooms had let a goat chew on it while the smoke had covered the field. Ami blinked several times. That was considerably more than she had expected it to do. But then, her only reference before has been either movies with unrealistic effects, or some of the documentation describing the effects of artillery shells or some of the Silver Millennium's more esoteric weapons. "Err... If... *ahem* If Your Majesty permits, I would like to skip the next step in the demonstration. I'm afraid that it might not be safe for myself or Master Tallanvor to throw the next one. I, err... I made it significantly larger than the last one." Slightly shaken, the Queen nodded her head, gaze still locked on the shattered remains of the dummies. Now _that_ was a weapon! Any fool peasant could throw rocks at their enemies, and if those rocks 'exploded' like that... Taking the last jar out of the wooden box, Ami gulped and hoped she had not over-estimated again. She wanted to make the ending spectacular, but she did not know what would be needed to do mining. The explosive requirements for demolishing rocks would probably be in the Mercury Computer somewhere, it certainly seemed to have everything else, but finding the information might take her a lot of time. Walking over to the empty post hole, she lowered in the jar by a string tied around the neck. This one single jar contained over half of her night's produce, and they had just clearly seen what a much smaller fraction could do. Of course, this one was in a hole over a meter deep. Surely that would be sufficient. Beckoning Tallanvor to join her as she walked to the part of observers, Ami understood the relieved look that crossed his face. When she rejoined the Queen's party, she gave a bow and pointed out onto the straw covered field. "My last demonstration is intended to show another important use that explosives can be put to. Again, I have to caution you that I have no experience with this, so I cannot say for certain this will work. "The principle that this works by is quite simple: digging rock is hard work, carrying rock is much easier. How much more iron, copper, lead or coal could your miners dig each day if all they needed to do was carry out the broken rocks, and rarely needed to use a pick or shovel? Unfortunately, I have not had time to make the proper explosives for this, nor have I been able to make any sort of detonator or trigger. This means that whoever went over to that hole to try and set if off would probably die. Fortunately, we don't need to worry about that. "Elaida Sedai? I was told that an Aes Sedai can form air into something solid, and use it like a weapon. If I may ask, could you please deliver a firm blow to the jar currently in the base of the hole?" The woman snorted, but stared out at the hole fixedly for a moment before relaxing and turning to the queen. "Your Majesty?" "Any time Lady Mizuno is ready, Elaida." "Please proceed, Elaida Sedai." Before she finished the sentence there was a tremendous, deep bass boom that they could feel through the soles of their feet. Once again a white cloud covered the area, but no larger than the previous one. This time, the dispersal of the cloud was accompanied by the sound of something pattering on the grass and dirt, like hailstones hitting a field. Quickly enough those with keen eyes spotted falling clods of dirt and pointed them out to each other. The sound of dirt falling paled in comparison with what was revealed when the smoke cleared. Leading the party forwards, they stepped over the loose dirt to stand around the edge of the crater. A good one and a half meters deep, it must have been at least three meters across. Most of the dirt had simply been blasted into a mound around the edge of the crater accentuating its apparent depth, but enough had been spread over the outlying area to make care a requirement lest someone slip on a lose rock or ball of dirt. "I'm afraid that's all I've been able to prepare for today, Your Majesty. Once we had things set up properly, we could have your miners supplied with enough explosives that they could be kept busy hauling ore all day, with only a fraction of the cost and labour required currently for digging." Gareth Bryne was silent, as were his guards, but it was easy to see that he was focused on the hole, his military mind digesting what it meant, trying to think of how it could be applied to the battlefield. Sappers could not use it, they would be heard digging too easily, but a catapult could loft enough of it at a castle's walls to take them apart in hours not days. "And this is the technology you speak of, Lady Mizuno?" The queen asked. "You would provide the secrets of these 'explosives' to us, and ask for nothing more than for Andor to fight against the attacks of the Dark One?" "Oh, there's a lot more to technology than explosives, Your Majesty. This was just the easiest and most impressive thing to demonstrate. And... Yes, Your Majesty, I will provide it all to you for nothing, because we are fighting against the same enemy. But... I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I was thinking last night, and I did come up with a few things I would like, if I may. I-If you can't, then that's all right, I have already offered, after all, but I would appreciate it." Morgase smiled, and rested a hand on the girl's shoulder. Ami needed to take lessons in court intrigue if this was how she went about demanding her price. She could name a hundred nobles that would have demanded Morgase's kingdom in exchange for such knowledge, or threaten to take the kingdom by force if refused. "What is it you would like?" "The first one is I would like your help setting up a school, or schools, really. The only way we can start to move Andor forwards rapidly is if the upcoming generation of children can read and write, and if they understand the principles of how things work. If we could start setting up some schools, then in five or ten years you will begin having plenty of scholars, artisans and scientists; people capable of understanding and working with the technology I'll be providing." "I'm not sure I would place the same value on education as you would. Most peasants will never really need to read. But the cost of hiring some teachers would be trivial against what we could make by increasing the amount of iron we can bring from our mines. What was next?" "Hospitals, at least one in Caemlyn first. Too many people die from injuries and diseases, too many babies die from things that have been cured for a century in my home. Moiraine Sedai showed me a Healing once, and while I can't offer anything as good as that, we could save the lives of a lot of innocent people. We could also save the lives of a lot of soldiers that get hurt fighting the Dark One." "Granted. This I would be more than happy to provide. My people are not slaves or beasts of burden; if you can do something to ease their suffering, I shall support you however I may." "The last one is, err, a little more difficult, Your Majesty. When I arrived in The Two Rivers, I was helped by a man. He stayed with me all the way to Andor, and if it was not for him, I would have surely died. He is a good man, Your Majesty, a kind and caring man, the nicest man I've ever met. But... But he told me that when he was in Caemlyn before, he did something to you, and now he is a wanted criminal. I don't know what he did, but he is a changed man now, Your Majesty. I would like to ask, please tell me what his crime was, and if there is some way I can help to earn his pardon, please allow me. His name is Thom Merrilin." Gareth Bryne gave a sharp intake of breath, but Morgase simply looked contemplative, as though reviewing old memories, both good and bad. "Thom's crime was one of passion and insulting words. If you say that he helped you as a stranger in our lands, and for no gain to himself, then he is not a changed man, he is the same good man he always was. Please tell Thom that his years of exile and then assistance to you has repaid any debt he may have. Over the years I have considered what was said between us on that day, and while I will never say he was right to say what he did, I can accept the meaning, if not the words themselves. Should he come to the palace and apologise for the language he used, all will be forgiven. I have already forgiven him for what he said, and Lord Bryne need no longer concern himself with Thom." Bending double, Ami bowed deeply in thanks. Holding that position, she stated her deepest gratitude, regretting only that this language did not have the depth of formality and supplication to properly express herself. Walking the Queen back to her carriage so she could return to her afternoon's meetings, Ami was asked when she could begin work on producing these marvels she had mentioned. "As soon as I can, Your Majesty. I'll need to learn a lot more about Andor before I know where to start, so that's what I will need to do first. I also need to know more about how much time we have before the Dark One's armies arrive. We need to ensure we only try to do what we can complete in a reasonable time." "That is easy enough to do. The lords and ladies I am meeting with shall require several of my days, but I am sure I can pry Gareth away after today. Between himself and Thom, they could answer any question on Andor and her army you care to name. If those two cannot answer your questions, I guarantee they will know who to ask." "Thank you, Your Majesty. Then, by your leave, I shall return to the palace tomorrow. I'm afraid I only had three hours of sleep last night, and I'll need some rest before we begin our planning." Morgase made shooing motions with her hands as she smiled at the young girl. "Be off with you then. Allow Martyn to escort you home, then enjoy some rest this day. You have earned it. Before you go, I have one last question... What was that you used to day? What do you call that 'explosive' of yours?" Ami Mizuno, Sailor Mercury, smiled. It was fitting in many ways. "Your Majesty it has several names, including proper chemical names. However it has a common name that most people know it by:" "Mercury Fulminate." ------ End of chapter