The Color of Trust

Chapter 6 – A Price to Pay

Floating in a strange abyss on a small platform created by Moghedien’s will alone, the three women skimmed between the Pattern from their previous location, searching for their destination. Larmika sobbed quietly as Ariam set to healing her, carefully holding the severed limb in place.

As Moghedien sought their meeting place, she muttered curses to the completely bound and now gagged Alindrah. “Light blinded fool! Do not think I will be easy on you, bloody Aiel! I will see that you suffer for this! All you have done was ensure that little milksop’s death! The Lord Aizen will be most displeased, he requested her specifically.”

Alindrah had already given up trying to move, the strands of air held her so tightly that she could not even twitch. They ran from her toes all the way to her mouth, leaving her nose free only so she could breathe. Her gray eyes were filled with concern. It was not punishment that she feared, but for Suiren’s life and well being. If what the spider said was true, she may have placed her friend in more danger than before. But that wetlander did not have the look of a murder. He would not have helped had he meant to bring her harm. Light above, I hope I made the right decision. May she always know water and shade she prayed silently.

The platform came to a halt and Moghedien used Saidar to create an opening in the Pattern once again. Cautiously she stepped out into a wooded area, her eyes and ears searching for movement. Satisfied that they were alone, she motioned for Ariam and Larmika to follow, dragging Alindrah behind them. The portal snapped shut behind them as soon as Moghedien released the threads.

“Careless aren’t we?”

Ariam gasped and all three women whirled around, seeking the owner of the voice that taunted them from the dark.

The space now in front of them seemed to rip apart, revealing what looked to be a pristine white throne room, the speaker resting his chin on one hand lazily atop the throne. Beside him stood two men, one with a shock of silver hair and a disturbing smile. The other had dark skin, his hair equally dark and in many braids, a style similar to Tarboners.

Moghedien’s concern faded and was replaced with confidence. “Lord Aizen. We had a bit of a setback, please forgive the delay.”

He motioned them forward, through the tear and into his castle, Las Noches. When they had all stepped through, he snapped his fingers and closed the passageway behind them.

“You have only brought me one, where is the other Aes Sedai your Master promised me?”

Moghedien nearly flinched at the mention of the Great Lord. He would surely punish her for displeasing his newest ally. “She was taken from us when we entered the Seireitei.”

Aizen’s dark brow rose in faux surprise. He witnessed the event himself earlier, but chose to keep that tidbit of information from them. “Oh? Is that so?”

Moghedien ground her teeth together and snatched Alindrah roughly by the hair. “The savage called attention to us. Someone was in the garden near the stones when we entered. You said it would be empty if we came at night.”

She now glared at Aizen with accusing eyes, placing the blame on both him and the Aiel. He only shrugged “I am not God yet little spider. I cannot control the events as much as I’d like to, I just manipulate them to my advantage.”

She sneered at him scornfully “And just how to you plan on twisting this to benefit you?”

He smiled, causing Ariam and Larmika to shiver in fear. Moghedien boldly glared back. “Patience, little spider. Until this matter is resolved, you will remain here serving me until you bring me my Queen.”

The silver haired man suddenly vanished and reappeared in front of them. Ariam and Larmika gasped and jumped in unison. Moghedien turned her glare to them. To be in the company of such weaklings was truly insulting to her. Those two seem to jump at bloody shadows!

“I’ll take her off yer hands now” he said, that unsettling smile never wavering.

Ariam removed the bracelet calmly, her composure returned to an extent. She held it out to him gingerly, hoping to avoid touching him. Instead of letting her drop it into his hand, he clasped the top of hers, his grin widened as she licked her lips nervously. Slowly he pulled the bracelet from her hand, letting his fingers linger against hers.

“Hmm, looks like ya had a lil’ run in with Senbonzakura miss.” He purred, observing Ariam’s shredded clothing and scattered cuts.

She shivered and with visible effort, kept herself from gripping her arms tightly. Being in the company of a Myrddraal suddenly seemed far more appealing to her than standing beside this man for another second.

Freeing Ariam from the awkward moment and changing the subject, Larmika spoke. “This one is an Aiel. Her people are incredibly violent and she has certainly done nothing to dissuade us of that fact. She will not submit easily.”

Aizen chuckled menacingly “I do not think he will have any problems handling her, will you Gin?”

Through heavily lidded eyes, Gin flashed Aizen his now toothy grin “No, I think not Aizen-sama.”

The bracelet snapped into place on his wrist and he turned his gaze to the bound women lying at Moghedien’s feet. “My my, she certainly is an angry one, aint she? Would ya mind releasing her from whatever’s holdin’ her now?”

The two women took several steps back cautiously before Ariam released the bonds. They had already seen what this woman could do unfettered. It would have been foolhardy to stand close by when she came free. Alindrah pushed herself to her feet, setting an explosive glare upon Aizen.

“By my honor and the Light, my life will be a dagger for Sightblinder’s heart. If you serve him then I shall be a dagger for yours as well, Shadowrunner. Till shade is gone, till water is gone, into the Shadow with teeth bared, screaming defiance with the last breath, to spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day!” She screamed out the oath of her people with vehemence. Her body held rigid, consumed with rage and the very defiance she spoke of.

He still rested idly on his throne, bemused and staring at the fiery woman below him. She certainly was as wild and unyielding as they said. Those who do not bend, however, will eventually break. He smiled as he saw Gin flash step behind her. Alindrah’s eyes widened as she sensed someone at her back. Instinctively she jabbed her elbow backwards, hoping to catch them in the stomach. He caught her easily, snaking his other arm around her neck and grasping her chin.

“Ya look so precious. We’re gonna have a lotta fun together, ne?” He breathed into her ear, causing an involuntary shiver to race down her back.

She growled and stamped a foot down, aiming for his instep. He quickly shifted his position, avoiding her attack and countering it, knocking her feet out from under her and forcing her to the ground. He perched happily atop her back, laughing as she struggled.

“Gin, if you are done playing with your new toy, why don’t you test out her powers?”

He gave a mock sigh of disappointment but lifted himself off her back nonetheless. Grabbing her by the collar he dragged her to her feet. “And what do ya want me ta do Aizen-sama?”

Aizen smiled again, his eyes causing Larmika’s blood to run cold. “Someone has to pay the price for failure.”

Moghedien grunted in alarm, thinking he meant her. Alindrah ceased struggling and sighed with pleasure as she felt Gin calling forth the source through her. He ran his thumb along her cheek, noting the glow that now surrounded her and how her body reacted to it.

“Someone should pay, don’t ya think so my precious?”

She growled at him when he first touched her, but her growl soon faded and a smile formed on her face. He was giving her permission to punish her tormentors, allowing her some vengeance. She nodded her head slowly and turned to face them. He stood behind her now, his chin resting on her shoulder, running his hands through her reddish blonde hair.

She was so absorbed in her task she felt his disgusting touch would be worth the satisfaction she was about to receive. Her ashen eyes locked onto Larmika’s dark ones, savoring the fear she now saw in them.

“Death comes for you, Larmika Alruddin” she said softly as she brought forth a weave of spirit mixed with skeins of fire.

Moghedien watched calmly, noting the weave and recognizing its ability. To prevent any struggles on Larmika’s part, she shielded her from the source, leaving her vulnerable to Alindrah’s onslaught. She did not even consider it as an act of treachery on her part. After all, saving her own skin like this has kept her alive for more than three millennia. Better the attack be directed on her subordinate than herself.

Larmika screamed as it took hold of her, a cry of betrayal quickly overridden by one of pain. The blood within her veins began to boil. Alindrah watched with satisfaction, showing no mercy to the woman who was now writhing in her grasp. This vile woman who had brought such suffering upon her first-sister and herself. Her sobbing and pleading had no effect, her wails like music to Alindrah’s ears. This is for you, Suiren. I only wish you could bear witness to it. I will end this miserable wretch’s life in your name, sister.

Larmika’s skin was a bright red now and steam began to rise from her as her body broiled from the inside. “Please!!” she begged between screams, tears streaming down her face.

Disgust rose within her, forming a lump in her throat. She would have felt better if she could have killed the woman with her bare hands, using the power this way did not seem right. Alindrah increased the amount of fire in the weave and Larmika’s howl cut off abruptly. Light faded from her eyes and she slumped to the floor, lifeless.

Ariam tsked and quietly said “I did just heal her” followed by a sigh.

The smell of burning flesh assailed their nostrils, but to Alindrah it was the smell of vengeance. She would make them all suffer in due time. They will pay for what they have done.

Gin squeezed her shoulder lightly “I told ya we’d have fun together, Kicho-han.”

She shrugged out of his grasp, tilting her head back towards him. “My name is Alindrah, Shadowfox, not Kicho-han.”

He tittered at her, toying with the leash that hung between them. “Shadowfox?” He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Well it aint my name either, but I kinda like the way it sounds.”

“That was very impressive, Alindrah Sedai. A bit gruesome, but an excellent show of skill.” Aizen told her, clapping his hands together in a slow, exaggerated applause.

“I did it for myself and for my sister, not to impress Shadowspawn.” She fired back.

He laughed and leaned forward “You will serve me well Alindrah.”

She stiffened and lowered her eyes. “May I never know shade if I do so willingly.”

Shifting his attention suddenly, he focused on Moghedien and Ariam. “You did well in bringing her; please give your Master my thanks. I can hardly wait to meet my future Queen. Though I do hope she is a bit more elegant than her friend here.”

The spider smiled “But of course. Suiren sur Bashere is well bred and her training in the Tower could only improve her disposition. If anything, it should have tamed her Saldaean boldness a bit.” When she spoke of the White Tower, she sneered, holding nothing but contempt for those who call themselves Aes Sedai in this age. They were nothing compared to Aes Sedai in her day. Weaklings, the lot of them.

Lifting her eyes to him again, Alindrah felt her hackles rise. “Suiren will never be yours Shadowspawn! My sister would sooner die than tie herself to a vile creature of the Dark.”

She drew his attention yet again, testing his patience. He did not move, did not speak, but released a portion of his reiatsu. Aside from Gin and Tousen who were used to it, everyone in the room fell to their hands and knees, gasping desperately for the air that was so hastily sucked from their lungs.

“Light above…I have set the sun afire” Alindrah choked out.

Even Moghedien could not stand against such a powerful spiritual pressure.

“You both belong to me now Alindrah, as Moghedien said, you are my property. I will do what I wish with what belongs to me.”He called back his reiatsu and a collective sigh filled the room, the women pulling themselves back to their feet.

Finding her voice, Moghedien agreed with him. “You will learn to show your Cova some respect, da’covale. Since you are damane as well you must fear and respect your sul’dam because he now has complete control over you.”

Gin tittered again, twirling the leash around playfully. “Ya hear that Kicho-han? Yer all mine, best learn ta respect me.”


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Additional Info:

Moghedien – her real name is Lilen Moiral. The name Moghedien was given to her by those she betrayed during the War of Shadows, over 3000 years ago. She was named after a small, extremely poisonous spider that hides in the shadows and traps its victims in its web

Dark One – Shai’tan is his true name, though none will speak it, lest they draw his attention. He goes by many other names such as Sightblinder, Leafblighter, Father of Storms, Lord of the Grave, Father of Lies

Myrddraal – Creatures of the Dark One, commanders of Trollocs. They have no eyes, yet they can see sharply in light and dark. They can vanish into the shadows at will. Also known as the Eyeless, Shadowman, Lurk, Fade, Halfman and Fetch. One look from these creatures tends to leave others paralyzed in fear

Kicho – precious (Japanese)

-Han – commonly used in place of the honorific -san, mostly in the Kyoto district. Since Gin seems to speak with a Kyoto dialect, I found this to be in keeping with his character

Da’covale – one who is owned (slave)

Cova – owner/one who owns

Damane – leashed one

Sul’dam – leash holder