Chapter Three

Choosing A Side

Ktanos looked around nervously wondering what he should do. Gil went over to a chair next to the fireplace and slumped into it. The dust and clutter reminded Ktanos of all the times he was beaten for not doing a good enough job cleaning. 

The sun had long since set and now that the cavalry had been sent out everyone had returned home to their beds. Ktanos knew it was too late to start cleaning but when would Gil allow him to leave? He wanted to go as soon as the city gates were open but Gil might want him to clean up his place as payment for letting him stay the night and keeping his secret. 

Assuming that Gil would actually let him go and was not planning on making him his own slave. 

“Why do you look like a hare caught in a trap?” Gil asked. 

“I’m just… not sure what’s gonna happen.” Ktanos replied nervously. 

“Well, I’m not gonna eat you little hare, if that’s what you’re thinking. Settle down and you can rest in my son’s room for the night. There are leftovers on the table. Help yourself then come sun up you’re on your own.” Gil explained with his eyes closed. He looked like he was already sleeping even though he seemed to be able to see Ktanos. 

Ktanos walked over to the kitchen table and saw a bowl olf soup sitting there. The edges of the bowl looked as if they had not been washed in a long time. He wondered about the soup itself and decided he was not hungry enough to eat some. 

“Thank you,” Ktanos said as he made his way towards the room Gil had said belonged to Gil’s son. The words felt strange because he could not remember the last time someone was nice to him. Master Dav’Altor never once thanked him for anything but was even more critical no matter how much he tried to please him. 

“You’ve been acting weird since you spoke to that Aes Sedai. Did something happen?” Gil asked as he still kept his eyes closed. 

“She mentioned… that you might be a Darkfriend.” Ktanos said softly and Gil’s eyes immediately opened and he sat up straight.

“What do you think?” 

“I dunno,” Ktanos replied nervously. He was afraid of what Master Gil would do to him because if he were a Darkfriend he would kill to keep his secret. On the other hand if he was not he would kill Ktanos for daring to call him one after all the kindness he showed the boy. 

Gil rose from his chair and went into another room. Ktanos waited wondering what was going to happen to him. Gil then returned holding a pair of chained manacles in his hand. He placed them on Ktanos’ wrists as the boy watched him in horror. 

“You said you could channel and open locks. I give you this challenge. Use the One Power to remove these cuffs. If you do then I will help you but if you can’t, I’m sending you back to your master to face his judgment.” Gil explained. Ktanos looked at the cuffs trying to decide what he should do.

Unlocking them would prove he could channel and depending on what Gil meant by “help you” could mean he'd be given back to the Aes Sedai. Or he could be sent back to Dav’Altor and face execution. 

Saidin filled him and it felt like it seeped into his bones. He was feeling like he was invincible and he could do anything. His very bones felt like they had been turned to ice yet they felt unbreakable like they were made of metal. 

His mouth felt sour as he could feel the taint upon Saidin, the taste making him want to sick up. Even the light that he thought he saw shining off of himself could not settle the uneasiness the taint made him feel. 

He felt himself pushing thin tendrils of The One Power into the manacles. The threads felt like earth as they seeped into the manacles and he had the sudden knowledge that he knew what the manacles were made of.

He could tell they were metal but it was a very cheaply made metal that a smith might have hastily rushed through making because of the impurities in the metal he felt. The next threat entered by the keyhole of the manacles and before he realized he had done it they unlocked and fell to the floor. 

Gil looked in horror as the shackles fell from the boys wrists as if they had not been locked in place. Even Ktanos seemed surprised and he hastily licked his lips then grabbed a bottle of wine and drank it like a thirsty man finding water in the desert. 

Ktanos fought to push away Saidin and stop the taint from flowing into him. He knew what it would do but Saidin itself was intoxicating. It stirred feelings he had never experienced before and he wanted to feel more of it. 

“By the Shadow,” Master Gil exclaimed as he backed away from Ktanos as if he were a rattlesnake ready to strike. 

“Please don’t tell the Aes Sedai!” Ktanos begged.

“Easy lad, no one is going to hurt you. Besides, she knows what I am and that would put both of us in danger.” 

“You mean you are a Darkfriend?!” Ktanos said as he stepped backward and clung to the wall he bumped into. 

“I’m not quite as scary as I’m made out to be. Grab a chair because I have a story to tell you.” Gil said. He sat back in his chair and he silently watched while Ktanos considered his options. Gil said nothing as the boy look around and watched a chair carefully. 

He could understand the fear the lad must be feeling because there is plenty of reason to fear a Darkfriend. Some were brutal towards each other, each trying to please the Dark Lord by any means necessary. 

Gil had no interest in pleasing the Dark Lord but he had other plans that required him to work with The Shadow. He had never told his reasons to anyone for fear it night be told to The Dark One but after three years of failure he no longer cared what happened to him. He felt too old and tired to keep chasing after Bite Mes. 

Ktanos finally moved a chair a little closer to Gil but far enough out of his reach just in case the Darkfriend tried something. 

“You know about my son dying. No matter how hard or long we searched we never found a body. If it were animals or even people then we would have found something even his scattered bones, but no body means it must have been trollics! They would have killed him and the other soldiers with him then butchered the body and ate them. 

I joined The Shadow for revenge against who or what sent them out. I was hoping if I was faithful enough The Dark One would give me what I wanted. I don’t care if it was a person or even a Fade. Once I knew, I’d go and get revenge for his sake. Even if I died before I could kill whatever it was, it would at least be something.” Gil explained. 

“But The Dark One never told you who sent them,” Ktanos said. 

“Yes no matter what I’ve done he never told me what I wanted. I complained and was banished here to wait until he called me again. IF he ever called me again. I’ve been waiting here for three years and still nothing has ever been said. 

Since you can channel, you have a better chance if you side with the Dark One. His followers have an immunity to the taint so you never have to worry about Aes Sedai or going mad. Plus his followers want you to develop your skill so that you can serve him better.” Gil said.

“But serve the Dark One?” Ktanos exclaimed incredulously. The thought of being able to channel without getting sick or going mad sounded wonderful. Serving The Dark One was a thought that Ktanos was not interested in. 

His own parents had been butchered by trollics in front of him while he waited for his turn. He still remembered the fear he felt but not much else other than Dav’Altor releasing him from the cage they kept him in. He was grateful despite the fact that Dav’altor turned him into his own personal slave. 

One thought that crossed his mind was that if he served The Dark One he might be able to help Gil and use the knowledge he gained to fight The Dark One. If minions of The Dark One had an immunity to the taint maybe there was a way to stop it permanently. If he could learn what gives immunity then he could pass that knowledge on to others. 

Of course he knew he was fooling himself because he doubted the Dark One would tell him anything. If Darkfriends would try to use others to get to a higher position, he would have to constantly watch his back. 

He knew he was fooling himself by thinking he could help Gil or by thinking he could pass a cure to the taint to others. The only thing he really understood was that there was a chance to meet other male channelers and they could teach him how to get better. It is better than being alone, he thought to himself. 

“How do I go about joining The Shadow?” Ktanbos asked softly. Gil watched him briefly before answering.

“Are you sure you are up to it? It is not an easy life.” Gil said but Ktanos felt a cold shiver with the way he asked. There was a slight edge to his voice as if he was hiding something. 

“Absolutely, I don’t want to go mad!” Ktanos said. 

“Then repeat after me: I shall obey all commands given by those placed above me in service to the Great Lord; I shall prepare for the day of the Great Lord's return; I shall hold close the secrets of The Shadow, unto the hour of my death.” Gil said, telling the oath that binds someone into becoming a Friend of The Shadow. 

Ktanos repeated the oath and felt an eerie presence as if he was being watched by something. Gil rose and stood over him as he rubbed his hands together in a greedy fashion.

“Ktanos, Friend of The Shadow. Welcome to my cell. Tomorrow we leave this wretched city and find my contact who can lead you to fellow channelers.” Gil said. He went back to his chair and leaned in it and closed his eyes. 

Ktanos silently went into the room given to him and he tried to sleep but his mind raced with many thoughts. He kept tossing and turning to find a comfortable spot but it did not help. He kept thinking about the change of personality Master Gil suddenly showed him. 

He wasn’t sure when or for how long but He thought he saw the sun rising when he finally fell asleep. It felt like mere minutes before Master Gil woke him and he had to force himself to rise so they could pack what they needed. 

Dav’altor, Jahid, and Jinan finally met back up as the sun was slowly rising to start a new day. The Warder looked perfectly rested as if he had just slept for the whole evening while the other two were showing signs of fatigue. 

“They will be stirring soon, have either of you learned anything?” Dav’altor asked impatiently. 

“Well I’ve been following their tracks and judging by what I saw they seem to be traveling south. It looks like they left Kandor and are taking a roundabout way to get south. I’m not sure why but they might be avoiding the steddings.” Jinan said. 

“That would make sense because I saw their command table and there were maps of Andor and… a few other places nearby. The winter has been brutal far south and though you have the waste to help shield you from it, traveling south will start getting really difficult.” Jahid said. 

“From what I saw they did not bring much food to feed their army. Someone’s bright idea must be that they could raid farms and small cities to get food.” Dav’altor remarked.

“Judging by their maps they are definitely looking for something. Maybe a means to get to Andor quicker than normal.” Jahid said.

“How could they do that?” Jinan asked.

“There are things called Waygates that when used could allow a person, or an army, to travel thousands of miles by walking for just a day in there.” Jahid answered. 

“That’s suicide! Machin Shin would eat them up faster than they could eat a person.” Dav’altor exclaimed. The Ways trace their origins to the time period known as the Breaking of the World. During this era some male channelers who sought shelter from the influence of the taint placed upon Saidin took refuge in Ogier stedding. 

It was hoped at the time that the nature of stedding to block access to the True Source would provide a reprieve for channelers from the growing madness brought about by exposure to the taint. However, most channelers could not long stand being unable to touch the True Source, and they eventually left to see if the taint was gone; unfortunately, it never was.

Almost two thousand years had passed with the Ways being an excellent means of transportation for the Ogier. But during the War of the Hundred Years the Ways began to change. Initially Ogier noticed that the light within the Ways was growing dim. Then travelers began to disappear. Eventually the light in the Ways grew so faint that the fruit-bearing trees on the islands began to die soon to be followed by all other growing things. 

Ogier began to fear traveling the Ways when some emerged crazed, raving about Machin Shin, the Black Wind. Eventually the Ways became utterly dark and the stone of the pathways began to pit and rot. In some places bridges and islands have collapsed completely. The exact reason for the corruption of the Ways is a mystery, though it has been theorized that the Ways were corrupted during their crafting by the male Aes Sedai who channeled threads of tainted Saidin. Female channelers who attempt to use the One Power within the ways will find their efforts twisted by corruption.

Machin Shin, literally black wind in the Old Tongue, is a force that hunts the Ways for anything that is alive. Machin Shin will attempt to attack and devour any creature it encounters, including Shadowspawn. The exact nature of the black wind is not understood completely, though it is known that it will consume the soul of any creature unfortunate enough to be caught by it. Unless it is pulled away, the soulless body of a victim will be subsequently mutilated and destroyed by the entity.

Before encountering Machin Shin, travelers within the Ways may feel a slight breeze upon their skin, an abnormal event within the Ways where there should be no movement of air. As it approaches closer the sound of wind will increase to a roar and at its closest a traveler will begin to hear the crazed voices of the consumed souls of Machin Shin's previous victims. 

“Either they are desperate to get their army to Andor. The question is why? It must be something really important to send five fists after it.” Jahid said. 

“Where is that False Dragon located? The man named Logain?” Dav’altor asked. 

“Ghealdanen,” Jahid replied softly. 

“They can’t be after him then.” Dav’altor remarked. 

“They must be heading to the steddings. If those ways are as you said I’ve no doubt that the whole army could be in Andor by Bel Tine.” Jinan replied. 

“Will your Aes Sedai be able to be apart from you for a bit longer? I think we better continue to follow the creatures to see what they are up to.” Dav’altor said to Jahid. “Jinan, I want you to return to the scouts and give them this report. We followed the trollics but they suddenly turned on each other and wiped themselves out. Then return with them to Saldea because I don’t want our forces weakened by following these beasts. Just in case this was a trap to lure our forces away.” Dav’altor ordered.

“Aye sir,” Jinan said as he saluted then ran back to where the others had camped for the evening. “But what do I say of you sir?” 

“Make up anything you want… tell them I’m hunting a Fade that managed to escape and I may be a few days,.” 

“Brave of you to go after a Half-Man by yourself,” Jahid remarked as the young man left. “Or foolhardy.” 

“It doesn't matter what he says as long as he tells him what I told him to. I can deny it all later and claim he was mistaken. So tell me, if we enter the Ways, will your cloak hide you from Machin Shin?” Dav’altor asked the warder. 

“Not likely, since I’m not sure it even has eyes. I’d wager it sees like a Fade does.” 

“Do the Aes Sedai know of any way to ward off Machin Shin?” Dav’altor asked.

“If they do, it was never shared with me. Do you rally plan to follow them into the Ways?” Jahid asked.

“If I need to, it seems it will help everyone if we know what the Shadow is after. This is too big a threat to just ignore.” Dav’altor answered.

“Maybe send word to the Aes Sedai and Andor to warn them of the threat.”

“By the time we get back to the city the trollics could be long gone. I don’t want to risk it! You can head back if you’re scared but I won’t lose them.” Dav’altor replied. He turned back to watching the trollic camp and he saw Myrddraal as they seemed to be directing the trollic to quickly break up camp so they could leave. 

Jahid remained silent as he watched and grabbed Dav’altor by his shoulder to prevent him from getting too close. A Myrddraal turned to look in their direction but the warder was sure they were not seen. The other possibility was that it thought of them as not a threat and chose to ignore them. 

The trollic army marched forward and the two spies followed at a slight distance. Several of the trollic had canine or swine features, so they stayed down wind so they could not be smelled. The warder led the way so he could use his color shifting cloak to help hide their appearance should they somehow be spotted by the trollics. 

After most of the day was spent marching the army finally arrived at a Way Gate. Each Waygate possesses two Avendesora leaves; one on the outside matched by a second on the inside. To activate a gate, one need only move a leaf on one side of a gate to a nearby access point. Doing so will cause the Waygate to react like a living plant and the gate will open to reveal a shimmering mirror-like portal which will provide access into or out of the Ways.

They again set up camp seemingly to wake until the morning before they entered the Ways by the Way Gate. 

In Saldean, Velessa felt a feeling of annoyance coming through the bond she shared with Jahid. She found the strong emotions were affecting her as she snapped at a servant that brought her some tea. At last he’s alright, she thought to herself as she tried to control her emotions. 

Feeling what the other person felt was part of the bond they shared and while it could be overwhelming at times, at least she would know he was safe. She returned to reading the fragments this library had about Malkier and what the author felt was the reason for its fall. 

Ktanos and Master Gil exited the small home and Master Gil chuckled to himself as he instinctively locked the front door. 

“I probably won't be returning, so locking up doesn’t even matter.” Master Gil remarked to himself. Ktanos just watched him but remained silent. He was too busy worrying about what it would be like to meet with other Friends of The Dark.

Master Gil had explained that Darkfriends consider it an insult to be called Darkfriends and preferred to be called Friends of The Dark. He was also warned about whom to reveal his secrets to because if others knew what he was, they would kill him instantly. Not to mention the torture he was face if he fell into the hands of Whitecloaks! 

The Children of the Light, called Whitecloaks by many, are an independent military organization dedicated to finding Darkfriends and rooting out evil and corruption wherever it may be found. Their zeal in this endeavor often borders on the insane and makes them dangerous opponents. 

They appoint themselves Judge, Jury, and Executioners in all matters and any that disagree with their brutal tactics are labeled as Darkfriends, whether they are or are not. Since they claim all Aes Sedai are Darkfriends then those that oppose Aes Sedai openly support The Children of The Light. 

“Now what did I tell you?” Master Gil asked. 

“Don’t speak unless spoken to, keep my head down, and avoid attracting attention to myself. Let you do all the speaking.” Ktanos repeated. This was the third time he had been asked this and he was guessing he would be asked again later. 

Master Gil hoisted a backpack on and led the way while Ktanos followed carrying his own pack. He was mostly carrying extra stuff Master Gil packed, because Ktanos owned nothing but the clothes and the dagger Master Gil gave him. 

“And where are you two off to this fine morning?” Velessa Sedai asked as she seemed to step out of the shadows to block their path. 

“Good morning Aes Sedai, a pleasure as always.” Master Gil replied but she sniffed at the comment as she turned her attention towards Ktanos. 

“Seems you don’t listen to good advice I see,” She said to Ktanos as he lowered his head and looked at the ground. 

“What advice was that?” Master Gil asked with a bit of annoyance to his voice.

“A private matter between the child and myself. You still have not answered my question. Where might you two be going with so much packed away?” She asked. 

“My nephew is returning home. He was going to stay a few weeks but suddenly found himself homesick for his parents. I’m not going to listen to him crying like a baby for the next week or so. I’ve decided to get him home before he drives me nuts.” Master Gil said and Velessa narrowed her eyes as she stared at Ktanos. 

“Perhaps that is for the best. I wish you well on your travels.” She replied coldly.

“The Light illuminate you,” They both said to her as she strolled out to find something to eat from a local restaurant. 

“Thought she’d never leave, nosey old bat.” Master Gil remarked. “Let’s go before she returns.” Master Gil the shifted his pack and began to walk with Ktanos trailing after him. 

To Be Continued…