Rum Running

Story by Madhar al'Thera for Project Gaidin's Death Match Week 1.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose above the city of Tar Valon. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

The crisp breeze blew through the city streets and around the tower. It blew into the open windows of the garrison barracks and across the face of a young soldier dressing himself. After pulling on his boot, Madhar stood and checked himself in the small mirror that the Captain of soldiers, Deoan Kakarot allowed him in his room. It was much nicer than the cracked and dirty piece of glass that Captain Marrow Rahien had allowed him. At least he could actually check his reflection in this one. However, his rough and rigorous training under Captain Marrow had shaped him into a world famous baby kicker.

He thought back to his recent five country tour across South America. Those were good times, but it was back to his training. Laying low was easier at the barracks too, since he was being searched out for questioning. Those South Americans obviously have no sense of humor when it comes to baby kicking.

Staring at his reflection, he saw that everything was in place. His plain clothes were clean, and his boots were shined. All was in order for the important day ahead of him. This was a day to prove himself. He had always dreamed of being a Gaidin. Not just any Gaidin, though. He wished to be Tar Valon’s top Gaidin. The task ahead of him today was a stepping stone to achieving that dream. He fastened on his cloak and sword, and he hastened out the door. He thought on the orders he received as he absentmindedly headed to the stables. He was to escort an Aes Sedai on a mission for the Amyrlin. It must be important, and he was excited at the prospect. His mind wandered to who he would be escorting. He didn’t know who it would be, but he hoped for a Gray or a Yellow. They had always been friendly to him. Whoever it was, he wouldn’t let them down. He was sure of that.

He pushed the stable door open and found stable master. “I need a horse, Sir. Official Tar Valon business,” he said, feeling important. The stable master cocked an eyebrow at him. “I’ve had no such information passed to me, lad.” Madhar quickly drew his letter and showed him. The stable master studied it and nodded. “Well…the only horse I can spare is this shaggy brown mare.” He gestured to the last stall in the stable. “I’m told that her name is Bela.”

Madhar looked at the horse. She didn’t look like much, but she’d have to do. He nodded and waited for her to be saddled. When she was done, he led her out of the stable and towards the city. He would need to stop for some supplies as he wasn’t entirely sure what the mission would entail. He would need food, water, and perhaps some things in case they had to camp. The young soldier made his way quickly through the town, stopping and gathering what he needed. When he neared the gates out of the city, he checked his saddlebags one last time and climbed atop the horse. He rode her out of the gates to wait for his Aes Sedai companion. It was written in his letter that he was to meet her right outside the city. He was a few minutes early, and was thankful for that as he passed through the city gates.

As soon as the soldier passed through the gates, he was greeted by a voice. “You’re late. Recruit.” Madhar looked up and saw a red fringed shawl, and swallowed hard. Red Ajah. They often professed that they didn’t need a man for protection. He wondered why he had been requested by one, then. Startled, but quickly calming himself, he bowed slightly in his horse. “My apologies, Aes Sedai. I thought we were to meet at 10. It is only 9:55…” “You were to meet me here whenever I was ready to go, Recruit. Don’t let it happen again. I am Adriana Sedai and you may call me Adriana Sedai,” she finished with a nod.

Madhar was able to maintain his composure. After all, this was his big chance. “Um..Adriana Sedai, I’m not a recruit, I’m a soldier…” He realized it was a mistake the moment he had said. The woman rounded on him, but said nothing. However, the look she gave him said quite enough. She sniffed and then spoke again. “My rum, boy. Where is the rum you were to bring me?” Startled, Madhar looked at the formidable Aes Sedai nervously. “The…rum?” Exasperated, Adriana Sedai glared at him. “Yes, my rum. Did they send me the dumbest of the bunch? Don’t bother. We’ll be here the rest of the day explaining what rum is to you. Lucky for you, I brought my own.” With that, she pulled a bottle from her saddlebag and took a large drink and set her horse at a trot down the road. Unsure, Madhar quickly caught up and matched pace with her.

They rode in silence for a while and Adriana slowly sipped her rum. She was the first to break the silence. “This mission is of the utmost importance. You will speak to no one about it when we return.” Madhar nodded, wondering what was in store for him. His hand absentmindedly went to the hilt of his sword as he pondered. They continued on for some time before Adriana stopped them. “We leave the road here recruit, and make our own path now.” She didn’t look to see if he followed when she started up again, leaving the road they had traveled on since leaving Tar Valon. They traveled through the wilderness for some time as the countryside became more and more deserted.

Eventually they came to a small cottage at the edge of some woods. As they approached, the Aes Sedai gestured for him to remain quiet. As they approached, Adriana Sedai finished her rum and chucked the bottle over her shoulder where it soon connected with the young soldiers head. The bottle shattered upon impact and Madhar cried out.

“I told you to be quiet!” the Aes Sedai hissed angrily. Madhar nodded and wiped the small trickle of blood that ran down his forehead. This had better be good he thought. They had ridden well over three hours and she had yet to tell him what to expect. They were supposedly on a mission for the Amyrlin, so he thought it best not to question the orders. His patience was being tested however. How could he be a top Gaidin if he didn’t even know what his mission was? How could he prove himself?

The Aes Sedai jumped down from her horse letting the reins go. Madhar quickly did the same gathering Bela’s reins and the reins from Adriana’s horse as well, earning him a bite on the hand from her horse. Clearly her horse had the same temperament as its Aes Sedai rider. He quickly tied them to the fence outside the cottage and rushed to follow the lady. She was nearly to the door when he caught up to her and drew his sword. She turned and glared at the soldier again gesturing for silence. Madhar nodded and rolled his eyes when she turned her back.

They crept up to the door and adrenaline rushed through Madhar’s body. He went over stances in his head, his training kicking into gear as he prepared for what lay on the other side of the door. They covered the last few steps and Madhar readied himself when Adriana Sedai stopped at the door. He wondered if she would bust it down with a weave of air. Instead she quickly reached up and banged on the door. “OI! OPEN UP!”

Madhar nearly jumped at the abrupt noise and looked dumbfounded at the Aes Sedai he was escorting. Adriana continued to bang on the door as Madhar questioned her. “What was the need for silence if you were just going to bang on the door?!” The woman spun quickly when an invisible force smacked the soldier in the side of his head. “Don’t EVER question me, recruit!” Wincing, Madhar slowly nodded his head and mumbled under his breath. The words “Crazy Sedai” may have been uttered, but it was uncertain. Adriana continued her pounding on the door and very nearly pounded on the old mans forehead as he opened the door. Quickly, Adriana Sedai turned very serious. “You have what I requested?”

Surprisingly the man did not fold under her stern gaze. “Yes, M’lady. Please follow me around back.” The woman turned to follow, but first looked at Madhar. “What are you doing with that sword, silly boy?” She sighed before continuing. “Honestly, men always think they need a sword in their hands to solve their problems.” Madhar sheathed his sword with a frown and followed the old man and the Aes Sedai around the back of the house. There, they found a cart, its contents covered, but obviously loaded to capacity. “Ah this is most excellent, Jack,” the Aes Sedai told the man as she peered under the cover and he beamed with pride. She turned to Madhar, snapping her fingers.

“You, recruit! Go get your horse and attach this cart. Lucky for us you ride a horse that looks better suited to this kind of work than carrying a…well, whatever it is that you are.” Grumbling under his breath Madhar went to get his horse. She must have heard him complaining because another smack of air hit him in the back of the head on his way back to the front of the house. He rubbed his head as he headed to his task. After the cart was attached, the Aes Sedai tossed a bag of coin to the man and went to check again on the cart. Apparently satisfied she pulled something from underneath the cover and remounted her horse. That was when Madhar noticed what she had grabbed from the cart.

“Rum? That’s what this ‘mission of utmost importance’ is? We were to pick up rum?!” Madhar was incredulous. Madhar was again whacked with a weave of air as Adriana Sedai opened her new bottle. She took a swig before speaking. “It is not your place to question our mission, but if you must know, we are having a surprise party for the Amyrlin. She happens to love rum, recruit. Perhaps you should learn to not question orders.” Madhar was whacked again as she took another drink. “Lucky for you, we have a long trip back to the tower teach them to you. Now, let’s go,” and with another sip from the bottle, she spurred her horse into action.

Madhar groaned, dreading his trip back to the tower and his “lessons” in manners, almost regretting his personal vow that he would do whatever it took to become Tar Valon’s top Gaidin as another weave of air whacked him on the head.