He arrived on foot. The Warders guarding the outer walls and one of the bridges of Tar Valon had had to blink twice at him, trying to discern his features from beneath the black silken hood that he'd pulled up to hide his face. He didn't stop walking, his pace brisk and no-nonsense, and one Warder had to glide into his path with his right hand raised and the other resting on the hilt of the heron-marked blade.

"Halt. Pull down your hood."

Edeleas peered up at the boy from shadow. Young, couldn't have been 20 winters. Young and good-looking, that's a Green mine right there in front of you. The thought of the Green sisters was enough to make him hesitate oh-so-lightly in his steps. Reaching up with one hand, Edeleas pushed his hood down, allowing an elegant mane of golden hair to cascade down his shoulders.

"Identify yourself." the Warder said, so sure of himself.

The Asha'man tilted his head sideways, glancing at the boy in that peculiar fashion. He didn't blink. Maybe the boy was a bit too sure of himself, the bloody piece of flaming goatmess. But venting out his bad mood wouldn't do; Edeleas was not Cairhienin for nothing after all.

Myara's ball of emotions in his head swirled. It had been quite a while since she was last there, this close. She resonated strongly of surprise and a definite want to see him. He gave her a quick salutation (however that was done in a Bond) before turning his attentions back to the Warder.

"Asha'man Edeleas al'Kuar, Dieb Cha, former Master of Soldiers." He said in a cool voice. He still did not blink.

The Warder frowned as if going through a mental ledger. Young. Maybe too young. He opened his mouth to speak but Edeleas beat him to it - after all he was easy to read as an open book. The Asha'man extended a gloved hand, and in his palm were his Dragon and Sword Pin.

"Oh! Sir!" the Warder snapped to attention and finally sidestepped to let him pass.

Woolhead. Edeleas thought as he entered the city.

Robert was returning from an errand at the City Watch that had required his personal attention when he noticed a familiar, but long absent, figure approaching. Edeleas? He looked closer, and yes, it was the former Master of Soldiers. He approached to within earshot. "Edeleas," he called softly but clearly, just loud enough for the man to hear. "Come up to my office, and we can catch you up on the news before you venture back into the madhouse. I'll send someone to fetch Myara." The other man nodded and they proceeded silently up to Robert's office on the fifth level of the Barracks. Robert's daughter, Gwen, was sitting at the large conference table in his inner office. She made to get up and leave, but Robert waved her back. He motioned Edeleas to a chair in front of his desk, poured each of them a glass of chilled wine, and settled back in his own chair.

"The main things that happened while you were gone is that we had a state visit from the Seanchan, and someone tried to assassinate myself, Sapphira, Rialt and my sister Erin. They didn't succeed, and no, we don't have a clue as to who it was. We caught one alive, but she died under questioning. Plus there's a war brewing down South."

"Edeleas,"

Surprised though he was, Edeleas stopped walking and watched silently as the Nosane al'Haran drew level with him in that deadly Warder-grace movement, his cloak shifting color and fading, afterwards appearing again, giving him the appearance of a ghost - or something of that sort. Edeleas kept his face blank and waited for Robert to explain.

"Come up to my office, and we can catch you up on the news before you venture back into the madhouse. I'll send someone to fetch Myara."

Madhouse? An amusing choice of words. Nonetheless he nodded and followed the man up to his office, back within the inner city where the two Towers arose, black and white, majestic and stark under the sky. He flicked an eye toward the Black Tower; what was Rialt doing - what had happened to elicit some comment like that from Robert?

It could be the trouble from Illian or Altara, but it could also have come from those foreigners - those people whom whispers arose even in Shayol Ghul - those people the Great Lord wanted observed. Edeleas easily kept up with Robert; though once entering the inner city he pulled down his hood once more and kept it that way.

They came upon Robert's daughter Gwen there, and the woman was about to leave but her father gestured her back to her seat. Edeleas promptly swept over to one of the vacant chairs before Robert's desk and silently accepted the goblet of chilled wine with a nod.

"The main things that happened while you were gone is that we had a state visit from the Seanchan, and someone tried to assassinate myself, Sapphira, Rialt and my sister Erin. They didn't succeed, and no, we don't have a clue as to who it was. We caught one alive, but she died under questioning. Plus there's a war brewing down South."

The Seanchan visit he knew about, but right now, it was of no consequence to his plans. The assassination, though... Edeleas remained calm. Has he a gist of things? One can never be too sure with the Light-blasted scum of spies some Aes Sedai have. I doubt Myara would give an answer even at swordpoint or with threat of death. I was distant but I would have felt it. She can not mask me out.

"I'm surprised the war hasn't erupted yet." Edeleas commented, looking at his wine. "This assassination threat..." Another Chosen? It was possible. Members of the Shadow often surprised each other in the game of power politics the Great Lord always had going between his servants, low or high in rank. It could be another one of those bunch... "What have you gleaned?" He looked up, blinking his deadened eyes at Robert's face.

Robert considered the question carefully. "It was apparently a renegade aes sedai, from what we were able to gather from the one we captured. She snuck them into the complex somehow. There were three teams of three; one for me, one for Sapphira, and one for Rialt. They came at Rialt and myself through secret tunnels no one even knew existed. Luckily there were no tunnels into Sapphira's suite. Elaine caught them trying to break in, and killed two before a rescue party killed the third. A separate team tried to take out Erin, but her and her escort took them out. The only reason Elaine was able to stop them was because she has hunches; not enough of the Power to be trained, but just enough to be useful. She had a hunch that night. By the way, daughter," he said, looking at Gwen, "that does not leave this room."

He paused, and continued. "As for the Seanchan, they wished to set up a permanent embassy. And they gave a warning. They just finished one of their succession wars over there. One of the sides hired a lot of mercenaries from Amadacia, Ebou Dar, and so forth. The new Empress ordered them expelled back to their homes. Someone down South has been buying their contracts. And we don't know where the money came from. It's pretty obvious who those mercenaries will be used against."

"And plus we've have some strange visitors. They came over from another world. They've decided to stay here in Tar Valon. The head of their fighters, Trienne, I'm training up to be my number two."

Edeleas could see the man considering the question carefully. "It was apparently a renegade aes sedai, from what we were able to gather from the one we captured. She snuck them into the complex somehow. There were three teams of three; one for me, one for Sapphira, and one for Rialt. They came at Rialt and myself through secret tunnels no one even knew existed. Luckily there were no tunnels into Sapphira's suite. Elaine caught them trying to break in, and killed two before a rescue party killed the third. A separate team tried to take out Erin, but her and her escort took them out. The only reason Elaine was able to stop them was because she has hunches; not enough of the Power to be trained, but just enough to be useful. She had a hunch that night. By the way, daughter," Robert said, looking at Gwen, "that does not leave this room."

Black sisters? Or simply people who thought Sapphira and Rialt have held the power of the Towers for too long? Edeleas mulled the thought over, sifting the information carefully. He decided he could have use for it in the future and stored it at the back of his mind. He would definitely have a use for this later, if he needed some movement or maneuvering. But then again it may be the Black Ajah, but to target all the leaders at once? There was cooperation then. Usually all these minor scum who called themselves Servants of the Dark were too busy squabbling over each other's portion on the table to cooperate. Usually it would need the urge of a higher-up, say, the Head of the Black Ajah or a Chosen even. Maybe one of the old ones, or the newer ones...nonetheless Edeleas had to tread carefully. He took a sip of the wine, but didn't really taste it.

Meanwhile, Robert was speaking again. "As for the Seanchan, they wished to set up a permanent embassy. And they gave a warning. They just finished one of their succession wars over there. One of the sides hired a lot of mercenaries from Amadacia, Ebou Dar, and so forth. The new Empress ordered them expelled back to their homes. Someone down South has been buying their contracts. And we don't know where the money came from. It's pretty obvious who those mercenaries will be used against."

At this, Edeleas gave a nod. The Seanchan succession. He even managed a short chuckle. "I had been in Seanchan for some years." He said. "Trouble was brewing even then. And so another woman claims the Raven Throne. I rather liked one of their princes - his ideas were very different. Too bad. He must have made a bloody blunder somewhere." The Asha'man gave a shrug at that one.

"And plus we've have some strange visitors. They came over from another world. They've decided to stay here in Tar Valon. The head of their fighters, Trienne, I'm training up to be my number two."

Ah. What he might need. Edeleas lowered his goblet and looked at Robert. A man he barely talked to was sharing him vital information. Something was up; something was out of place. Never before did Robert Laurel talk to him, except perhaps a few very official conversations. So why share things now? No doubt it was important, but he was no longer Master of Soldiers to consider these things. But as a Chosen it was a different matter entirely.

"I have caught word of these...people." He said slowly. "No doubt the Brown Ajah and my brothers are trying to milk out as much information as they can. Multiple worlds were not unknown in the Age of Legends, but this, visitors even - at OUR own failing Age...why...it is nothing short of remarkable."

That and a rumor that an extra luggage of a Chosen from this other world had also arrived.

Robert continued. "From what they have said, they were fighting on time of one of the Portal Stones in their world when somebody performed some combination of weave and they found themselves here." He shrugged his shoulders. "They said that they accidentally brought a powerful Darkfriend with them, and he got away before they could get themselves back together after the transition. They were in pretty bad shape." He sipped at his wine. "You would find all this out in a couple of days back in the Towers anyway. Or in an inn in the City. You know the Towers leak like a sieve. I'm sure Rialt will give you his own slant on things, but you've been done so long that when I saw you I thought I had better fill you in myself before you went in to see him." He shrugged his shoulders again. "Anyway, we'll probably be at war within a year, and it's not going to a 'short victorious war' like everyone thinks. This looks to be long and bloody."

He turned to Gwen. "I've been remiss in my manners. Gwen, this is Edeleas al'Kuar, who was Master of Soldiers before he left to go adventuring. Edeleas, this is my daughter Gwen, who just waltzed in here several months and went 'Hello Father!' It's been an experience getting to know an adult daughter." The young woman grinned at him. Her long black hair was tied up in a bun. She was wearing a cuirass over her uniform, and you could just barely make out the faint scar on her left cheek. "She spent some years in the Borderlands and then came down here."

ooc -- so im a bit rusty, forgive the rambling sentances. I just need some practice to get my old elegance and flow together.

It was oftentimes inconceivable to understand how much of what went on inside the city of Tar Valon, Rialt Erydinan knew of. Which was to say, most of it. After a few long years as M’Hael, Rialt had adapted to the position with an ease he had never truly realized lay within his grasp. But no small child has the potential to imagine what being the most powerful man in the world meant, even now as he commanded Kings, Queens, and councils, Rialt still had a hard time believing it himself. There were not many in the city who did not know his name, or for that matter, his face. But he managed to keep a rather intimate view of the city to himself regardless of his notoriousness. And the word of the day, at least from his sources inside the Towers, was that an Asha’man who had not been seen nor heard from in some amount of years, had mysteriously shown up on Tower grounds just that morning.

Rialt made it his business to know the names and identities of those who were abroad in the world, and an even more intimate list existed of those who had been missing in action. This man was among them, and Rialt had a good idea of whom that missing Asha’man was. He could recreate the entire moment when he had discovered his long-time mentee and friend, Edeleas, had revealed to him that he was a darkfriend. If anyone ever discovered Rialt’s method of dealing with the traitor, he would not only be removed from his office, but he would be stilled with no hope of healing, or he would be killed. Probably not officially, but those in power who committed treason such as that never managed to survive very long after their public sentence had been carried out.

But Edeleas had sworn to Rialt that by staying his hand, no soul would ever discover the terrible secret they both held. A Master of Soldiers, a darkfriend. The Reds would have soiled themselves with such knowledge. But Rialt had no real reason to worry after all, because if anyone ever found out, Edeleas would be the most hunted man alive…by both sides of the age old battle of light and dark. Their agreement however had meant Edeleas was to stay away from Tar Valon until some light had been shed on his situation. Rialt could not heal death because it was governed by the laws of the Creator more-so than others, but this was something worth dedicating his time. He poured over texts that were centuries old, and had learned an obscene amount of ways to heal without the power, but nothing had come to his attention that would heal the touch of 13 fades. Not a thing.

Rialt stood standing on the balcony, high above the gardens and training grounds of the Asha’man of Tar Valon. Leaning over the edge he let his gaze stare below at the earth thousands of feet below him, and he let his mind wander. The source had said the blonde man had been ushered to Robert’s garrison, and that was the last he had heard of him. Rialt had sent a message to Robert demanding that he send the returned Asha’man to him as soon as their exchange was finished. It had been an hour since that message had been delivered.

Why have you returned to Tar Valon, Edeleas? Have you found a way to cure yourself? The idea that perhaps his friends captivity would be over was a temporary exaltation, and it was quickly diminished by the other, much more highly logical reasons, to his mentee’s return to the hub of the world. Worry however quickly turned to guilt. He was betraying everything he had been sworn to uphold, everything that he had pledged to hold.

No soul had ever really asked Rialt of Edeleas, for few remained in the Towers who remembered their long ago friendship, most only remembered them being at odds…and now, even less even knew of that, or of who Edeleas once was. But that did not change that fact that someone could one day ask Rialt of Edeleas’ background, and the oath of truth he had taken over 300 years ago would compel him to tell the truth.

He could not have that.

And so the day that Edeleas had left the Black Tower, Rialt had ordered the Oath Rod that all initiates swore upon to him, and with the help of one other, had stripped the oath to never utter a lie agonizingly from him. No soul knew of this but he, and one other. If they did, the Creator only knew what madness would ensue in a world where a man who could do anything, also had the ability to violate the one thing that kept him in check. Sapphira would have his hide, and he would be forced to retake the oath…but further, she would want to know why he had removed it from himself in the first place. He would never tell her, never until he and his Dark-friend Edeleas had discovered the mode to his freedom.

And with that thought, he hoped at long last, an answer had finally been found.

((I think my part in this is done, and I'll leave it to Rialt and Edeleas...)

ooc - yay! I'm still re-learning my lengths, so this might not be that big. :look
~

Robert continued. "From what they have said, they were fighting on time of one of the Portal Stones in their world when somebody performed some combination of weave and they found themselves here. They said that they accidentally brought a powerful Darkfriend with them, and he got away before they could get themselves back together after the transition. They were in pretty bad shape." The man sipped at his wine. "You would find all this out in a couple of days back in the Towers anyway. Or in an inn in the City. You know the Towers leak like a sieve. I'm sure Rialt will give you his own slant on things, but you've been done so long that when I saw you I thought I had better fill you in myself before you went in to see him. Anyway, we'll probably be at war within a year, and it's not going to a 'short victorious war' like everyone thinks. This looks to be long and bloody."

Edeleas listened to Robert attentively, though the Asha'man was quiet most of the time and contented himself with his wine. One of the Chosen's current preoccupations was this 'Darkfriend' from the other world. The surviving ancient ones, including Briallan, were all on their toes regarding this unwelcome guest. The Great Lord never explained his will to anyone, not even the Nae'blis. They had to work their way through the endless game of power politics as always. And Edeleas, as bloody Chosen himself, had to tread carefully regarding this matter. He would deal with it, but now was not the time, as he had his own personal orders from the Great Lord to oversee. That and his own allegiances, which were always in question. He remembered the last talk he had with Rialt...

"I've been remiss in my manners. Gwen, this is Edeleas al'Kuar, who was Master of Soldiers before he left to go adventuring. Edeleas, this is my daughter Gwen, who just waltzed in here several months and went 'Hello Father!' It's been an experience getting to know an adult daughter."

Robert's voice cut his thoughts. Edeleas looked up, blinking at the pretty woman. If he had been his usual self (how long ago that sounded! How very far!), he would have smiled or two. But as it were, only an acknowledging dip of his head was what he could manage. Greetings, it seemed, were luxuries he could not afford.

"She spent some years in the Borderlands and then came down here."

The Asha'man set down his goblet. "Training to be a Warder, eh? Or is she a Warder already?" He rose abruptly, his cloak falling to his boot heels. With one hand he flicked a strand of golden hair from his face. "Robert, the Light knows how I should like to listen to more of your news, but the Black Tower awaits, and I have some things to take care of, especially with the M'Hael. He is rather strict on people drifting in and out of Tar Valon, more so if it's a man under his command. I thank you both," he gave another nod to father and daughter. "But I take my leave."

That done, Edeleas walked out of Robert's office and found himself in a near-empty courtyard. A few Aes Sedai and Asha'man milled about, along with even fewer Younglings, Accepted and Dedicated. Edeleas took a moment to look and study their faces as he stood there, appearing to be unsure where to go next. These were all young faces; even the Sisters with the shawl and the Brothers with the Pins. Faces he could not remember. Faces he could not put a name to. And yet, many many Faces to get to know and try to use.

So many things to do, so little time.

Setting off at a brisk pace toward the Black Tower, Edeleas for a moment lifted his dead gaze at the huge black spire before him. Rialt should know by now that he was back. They had many things to talk about, and no doubt Rialt was all too happy to do the asking. They had long decided it was too dangerous for him to remain in Tar Valon, and truly, Edeleas had put enough people in danger for his sake. Last his resources told him, Marian Skylas had disappeared. It had nothing to do from his own slice of spies and forces, but you could never be too sure.

The blasted Light keep her bloody safe, He thought.

And now it was bothering him if Rialt should know of his current predicament. Just imagining Rialt's reaction was enough to make his head ache, and Myara responded from the Bond. He sent her some reassurance. He would also have to deal with her later. It had been awfully long since he last saw her; and his situation would even put her in more danger if she were to know.

So the tales of Chosen bringing danger and bad luck everywhere are partly true, if only for my case. He thought with a hint of dark amusement. At this moment he had come upon the entrance to the Black Tower. A sea of unknown faces greeted him, a sea of flesh pinpricks of color and inquiring eyes, if not puzzled altogether. Edeleas did not look at anyone for too long as he swept inside.

And I wonder who the new Master of Soldiers is...

Decorum dictated that he should present himself to the M'Hael first before returning to his Shen. Edeleas was not too happy with the prospect given his state and his new instructions, but what had to be done, had to be done. He swept past Soldiers, Dedicated and Asha'man, not greeting or acknowledging a single one of them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a big fat black rat emerge from a hole in the wall and sniff at him.

...Oh yes. They knew a Chosen when they saw one.

How ironic.

Didn't take Edeleas long to find himself standing before the M'Hael's doors, waiting as someone announced him inside. He looked up at the ceiling and watched three huge scuttling spiders before the doors re-opened, finally to let him in.

im not really too sure how to respond to that, I'm just waiting in my office.... :P give me some more to work with.

Done. :3

ooc - ok so i took a few liberties here...but oyu know what, we need to spice some shit up.


The sphere of light on his desk pulsated lightly, and he looked down in half surprise, half dread. How long had it been since Edeleas had left the Tower behind? He couldn’t recall really. All that he could think of as the flash of light pulsed was how he had allowed a Darkfriend to escape his grasp. What would Sapphira have thought of that? It would have been just the thing she needed in order to dispose of him finally. Dispose of him completely and utterly. He stared at the light. She wouldn’t do that though, even if she despised him she still knew that he ran the Tower well. Efficiently. He had patched up holes the eccentric M’Hael Zekieal had let other deal with. Are you going to reminisce Rialt, or are you going to allow the Darkfriend to come inside and tell of how he has not changed. Perhaps he’s killed more of your brothers. Perhaps he will one day kill Cayana. Maybe Resolute? He killed Sidivin after all, at least that’s what you think.

“Come” He said loudly, and the doors swung open, the long haired blonde appearing below a sordid set of clothes. He looked no different really, than the last time Rialt had seen him…except that had been a terrible day. That was the day Rialt’s own reservations and morals had failed him. He said nothing as the door closed behind his former mentee from so many years ago. Before he could say anything though, Rialt raised his hand, silencing the man before him. Much could have changed since he last spoke. It could all be a trap. All of it.

The air in the room was stifling hot, and neither man spoke. He loosened his collar absentmindedly. Not that that simple gesture was going to help really, he was in command of his own perception of cold and heat. For now though, that ability alluded him. His mind was a slew of questions and possibilities.

And it hit him. He was being ridiculous. This man was a Darkfriend. This man, as long as he had been a darkfriend and after all the chaos he had wreaked deserved to die. He was a shell of the former man he had known as a Soldier and Dedicated. All he had ever caused was pain and anguish, loss and confusion. Rialt seized saidin with all the strength he could muster. So distracted was he, that he did not even see the expression that came upon Edeleas’ face. If Rialt had intended on killing him, why had he allowed him to get so close…allow him in the offices? Alone no less?

A split second after grabbing the source, Rialt was weaving a complex string of air and spirit, he was weaving a cage and no sooner had he made up his mind that Edeleas had a block implanted so proficiently that it would take days to unravel even by the most skilled. His veins pulsated in anger. Was this anger at Edeleas, or was it at himself?

“I should kill you where you stand, traitor.” He hissed out at the man before him. He gripped instinctively at the blade at his side. Part of him desired Edeleas to try to kill him, he was not bound by air, merely a shield really. The sword was for show, just in case some manner of forkroot ended up in his daily tea escapades.

“I have asked myself time and time again why I have not killed you when I have had the chance. And over and over again, the same nagging sensation manages to creep into my mind… Don’t kill him, he was your friend. But lately, I’ve been loosing that feeling Edeleas,” he spat the name out like poison “I’ve been questioning why the M’Hael of the Black Tower, sworn to uphold those who support the Creator, would protect a murdering, lying, backstabbing fiend like yourself.” He was half mad with anger at this point, and it took a great reserve not to sever him completely from the Source. But no, that was not his ploy.

“I have many eyes and ears in this world child, and what I hear of abroad does not sit well with my intentions upon releasing you before. They whisper that the rank of power has shifted.” He did not have to mention who they were. Edeleas’ eyes watched his. “They say a new Chosen has been selected. I know that you know who he is. Some part of me wonders if you are him. But of course I cannot be sure. Rationality tells me of the many years and services you’ve afforded to the Dark One Edeleas. Reason tells me that one so dedicated in his endeavors would not be so passed up for a promotion if you will.” He was releasing years of frustration. He had to struggle to maintain the weave and not scream in frustration, in pent up anger.

“It would violate however, our damned agreement though, I would wager. I have but to call out, and those men outside this door will come assist me in murdering a traitor.” He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Edeleas was one of a few people in the world who had ever seen him so worked up. “I want you to explain to me why I should not do that. Why am I ignoring my better judgment. Years have gone by Edeleas, are you practicing the game of houses on me? Am I your little game? Will my death bring you a spot at the Dark One’s side…because I need not be the one to inform you that that position holds only one end, and it is not a positive one. It does not lead to rebirth. It does not lead to Glory. Not while I am alive.” The speech was in anger. It was spur of the moment. Never in all the rambling thoughts that ran through his mind had this scenario developed as the action he would take upon seeing Edeleas.

He was a rash man sometimes. But against all his better judgment and reason, he did not snap the shield of air and spirit, he let it waiver and shimmer, and finally, he let it fall. He released his hold on the Source and let his words hang in the air. Edeleas held his life in the balance just as he had held his a moment earlier. Why are you so weak? But nothing was going to answer that question better than Edeleas. Rialt closed his eyes, breathing silently, and expected the same heated response that he had just heaped upon one of the only friends he had ever had; a Darkfriend.

“Come”

He was only doing this because it was a must for all Asha'man to report to the M'Hael when they came in and out of the Black Tower. The Tower, specifically the Red Shen, recorded and kept a track of all the comings and goings of the Aes Sedai and the Asha'man. As if their neverending recording could actually help anyone when they were accosted like how Edeleas was accosted. The jurisdiction of the Tower was in truth limited to cities and villages where its eyes and ears were. They would not be able to send help should anyone meet danger or whatever Lightforsaken emergency it was. Edeleas had learned that the hard way and was not about to forget.

Edeleas looked at Rialt silently, regarding the M'Hael with his dead green eyes. Rialt likewise did the same. There were more lines on the older man's face than from what Edeleas could remember. He had his hands full with Sapphira - the wars brewing in the southern lands, these otherworlders Robert had mentioned... if this was indeed truth, the business concerning these matters was enough to make anyone look ten years older, Channeler or not. It was very much to his interest to know if Rialt and Sapphira had already met these otherworlders. He was in no real powerful position now to openly fish out news, having given up his position as Master of Soldiers years ago prior to his departure from Tar Valon. He would have to rely on his other network. They should be brimming with information. Especially if there was someone parading himself as a Chosen...

Rialt loosened his collar absent-mindedly. Edeleas noted this movement. There was something in Rialt's mind - a lot of it, if he could not even concentrate to keep heat or cold away. Edeleas also sensed the tension shift erratically in the room, and he slowly braced himself for what was going to happen.

He is not going to attack me, is he?

Angry though Rialt was, he could not be as stupid. But still, this open display of emotion....one side of Edeleas - a far, distant side of him showed a twang of concern for his old mentor. That dead side would have fussed over Rialt, insisted that tell him what was wrong. But that side was...of course, dead. Corrupted. Edeleas' greater side could have gloated. What was this? The M'Hael of the Black Tower showing him vulnerability? This could be used to uphold the Great Lord's cause. Even more so to push for the plans he was sent here to oversee, what with the missing Shen heads...

The blonde man blinked as he sensed the M'Hael grab for the Male Half of the True Source. Edeleas made no move to do the same; saidin raged in quantities within Rialt that retaliating with equal fervor would have been very unwise to the point of death. Edeleas managed a small grunt as the shield slid in place, a strong one. The likes of which he only encountered with other Chosen. Well-made. It would have taken him days to break it. He remained calm, unlike the man standing across him.

“I should kill you where you stand, traitor.” The words surprised Edeleas a bit. Rialt had a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I have asked myself time and time again why I have not killed you when I have had the chance. And over and over again, the same nagging sensation manages to creep into my mind… Don’t kill him, he was your friend. But lately, I’ve been loosing that feeling Edeleas,” he spat the name out like poison. “I’ve been questioning why the M’Hael of the Black Tower, sworn to uphold those who support the Creator, would protect a murdering, lying, backstabbing fiend like yourself.”

Edeleas chose not to speak, but to let the man vent out his frustrations. At least Rialt had that luxury. Marian Skylas did not.

“I have many eyes and ears in this world child, and what I hear of abroad does not sit well with my intentions upon releasing you before. They whisper that the rank of power has shifted.” He stared back at Rialt unblinkingly. “They say a new Chosen has been selected. I know that you know who he is. Some part of me wonders if you are him. But of course I cannot be sure. Rationality tells me of the many years and services you’ve afforded to the Dark One Edeleas. Reason tells me that one so dedicated in his endeavors would not be so passed up for a promotion if you will.”

Unlike the first time he had returned, Edeleas was not as...hysterical. He only blinked once at this. So Rialt had a gist of the Great Lord making his moves. There was no point denying there. But he did not speak.

“It would violate however, our damned agreement though, I would wager. I have but to call out, and those men outside this door will come assist me in murdering a traitor.” Rialt closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Edeleas, for the most part, thought that showing this kind of weakness to him was a potentially deadly mistake on Rialt's part. The man could have done better. “I want you to explain to me why I should not do that. Why am I ignoring my better judgment. Years have gone by Edeleas, are you practicing the game of houses on me? Am I your little game? Will my death bring you a spot at the Dark One’s side…because I need not be the one to inform you that that position holds only one end, and it is not a positive one. It does not lead to rebirth. It does not lead to Glory. Not while I am alive.”

The Shield dissipated. Edeleas let out a small exhale once he sensed that saidin was there again, tantalizingly close and sweetly violent. He watched Rialt try to get a grip on himself. He waited for a few moments before he spoke.

"It would be wise for you to sit down, Father. You do not look too well." He said, his voice soft and quiet, betraying none of his thoughts. He took a step forward but did not move anywhere nearer. "You also look like you need some chilled wine."

Edeleas looked around for a pitcher of the said thing, and finding one by Rialt's desk, walked briskly toward it. He poured some of the wine into a nearby goblet and walked toward Rialt and offered it. They stared at each other for what seemed like a bloody Age. Rialt took the goblet anyway, and that done, Edeleas went back to the same spot where he had been standing. He kept his hands behind him.

"I believe I have some satisfactory answers for your questions, Father, if you would let me." Edeleas said, face still blank. "It be to your best interests to keep me alive because, I believe I have useful information for you to use regarding the Shadow and how to counter it." He said. He raised no Wards around them. Raising a Ward would have guaranteed him some safety, but he did not risk it. He had other things planned, especially after what Rialt had dared show him. "Another thing on my mind is that apparently, you have not reconciled the fact that the Creator has no interest whatsoever in the affairs of humankind. For all of its goodness, Father, since when did the Light openly help its legions with the struggle against the Great Lord?"

His answer might be too bold. He could see Rialt going livid, but he made no move to touch the Source.

"I would also like to raise my objection with what you said earlier, Father. It is most certainly not about your death. I certainly do not want to go an inch closer to the Great Lord than I already am." He said. "On the contrary, Father, I would most certainly not return to Tar Valon if I had no scrap of hope left for my state. Just this - the promise of the information and the knowledge I hold....why should I risk my life so, Father?"

A faint glimmer perhaps, appeared in his dead eyes. The corners of his lips quirked up just as a huge black rat skittered across the floor to hide under Rialt's desk.