The Fires of Heaven: Chapter 22

Val a'Shain

Characters: Mat, Melindhra, Rand, Aviendha, Amys, Melaine, Bair, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan, Asmodean.

Setting: Taien, near the mouth of the Jangai Pass.

Point of view: Mat, Rand

Mat's point of view:

Melindhra is massaging Mat's back. She seems to think he is short eventhough he would be of more than average height in most countries. Melindhra seems to think he is destined for great glory and wants to know why he puts himself in the shadow of Rand. Mat doesn't really listen to her. Again Mat wants to know if Daughter of the Nine Moons means something to her. Of course she doesn't. Just as Melindhra asks who or what she is Mat hears the call of a two rivers bird. A warning from the ward Rand set. Struggling into some of his clothes he grabs his staff and stumbles outside. Trollocs are already in the camp but by no means enough to overrun the defences.

Mat slays several Trollos. He sees humans among the attackers too, shout Sammael and the golden bees. Mat has to pay attention to a Fade now though, the Aiel will have to deal with the humans. Crying out the old Manetheren war cry he attacks and kills the Fade. When the Fade is dying he sees the battle is over. A pointless attack. Melindhra says he dance well. He's as tall as any man needs to be in her opinion.

Rand's point of view:

The birdcall wakes Rand immediately. He seizes saidin and runs outside. He sees people running towards the battle at the edge of the camp. Then he spots Aviendha and the Draghkar. Carefully he uses balefire to destroy it. Aviendha turns around and a stream of fire shoots towards Rand. He just has time to throw himself out of the way. Angry he demands to know what that was about. Aviendha tells him that next time he can deal with matter himself. Rand turns around and sees the remains of another Draghkar burning. He tries to apologize but to no avail.

The Wise Ones and Egwene come running to his tent. The feel of Channelling drew them. Egwene immediately sees Rand has upset Aviendha again and doesn't hid her dissaproval. The Wise Ones see they are not needed here and turn around. Lan and Moiraine check on him as well. Moiraine warns him not to think the obvious reason for this attack it the right one. Then they both retire as well. Rand goes to check on Asmodean who wisely stayed out of the fighting. He agrees with Moiraine that it may not have been Sammael. Rand replies he's been baited like this before by Sammael before realizing he is talking about the age of legends. He did give himself away this time. They discuss it a while longer without reaching a conclusion.

When Rand returns to his tents the Maidens who should have guarded him are ashamed by the incident and offer him their spears. Rand is just glad the didn't get hurt if the want to meet their toh they should talk to the Wise Ones Rand tells them. They can no doubt come up with a better solution than he can. With that he ducks inside the tent and goes to sleep.

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