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Hi,

This is Ken Kofman, sending out yet another _As The Wheel Turns_
posting.  I suppose I should put some sort of copyright notice
on this, so here goes:

Copyright, Ken Kofman (c) 1994.  All rights reserved except for
those that Tor and Robert Jordan deserve, and except that anyone
who wants to copy this material may do so, so long it remains
unaltered, including this notice, and so long as no fees of
any kind are charged for its use.

In other words, enjoy it, show it to all your friends, be inspired
to run your own game, but since I'm not making any money off of
this, you shouldn't either.

I hope I did that right.

Anyway,

KenK        [e-mail]

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The Nine Rods of Dominion

One to come and one to go
One above and one below
One a friend and one a foe
One to hide and one to know.


Creation

Nine Rods rule over all
Eight Ajah preserve and fall
Seven Ages of the Wheel
Six Bound to serve the dead
Five Flows create the Weave
Four Peoples born to live
Three Supports of all the worlds
Two Powers never to be whole
One Dragon on the winds of Time.


Summary of Session 12 of _As the Wheel Turns_  4-8-94

And so it was, that Akhel did find himself in unspoken thought.
Amongst the night mists stinging with cold did he stand watch,
though little could be discerned in the clouded dark.  Thus did
he stand on evenings previous, yet now did he notice another
standing watch beside him.  With hidden discomfort did he
notice her presence, for his vigilant gaze missed little
though few words did he speak of that which he saw, yet had
Selene stood beside him for more than a moment while his
mind and spirit travelled amongst the mists.

Then did Akhel ask gracious Selene to speak of the manner in
which she joined this company of travellers in search of ancient
Manetheren.  And Selene, whose aspect was like unto the Light
itself smiled in fond remembrance, and spoke of her original
intent to meet a friend in the Two Rivers, which in generations
past had been the glorious land of Manetheren.  And Selene
spoke of her meeting with Kareina Sedai of the Green Ajah,
and of their shared company on the road toward the village
of Emond's Field in the Two Rivers.  Long did she and Kareina
Sedai speak in conversation, and Selene did wonder whether she
too had become ensnared in some inscruatable plan of the Aes Sedai.
For the Aes Sedai are known throughout the world for their
mastery of the Great Game, Daes Daemar, for against the Shadow
they do claim to stand, and allow little to stand between them
and their purposes, save for that which they deny themselves
through the Three Oaths.  For Selene did find herself deep within
the Mountains of Mist, ancient heart of Manetheren but now home
to no man.  No purpose of her own did her presence serve, save
that of Elaida Sedai of the Red Ajah, who commanded Randy Carter
and her companions to bring forth from these mountains one of
the Nine Rods of Dominion.  And Akhel did agree with Selene,
for he too wondered what part of their travels and trials had
been foreseen by the Aes Sedai within their shadowy strategems.

Further did Akhel speak unto gracious Selene, and he did beseech
her to speak of true history.  Then did Selene make the attempt,
yet knew not how to separate history which Akhel might believe
from that which he would deny, for Akhel did deny both Light and
Shadow, both the Creator and the Dark One.  Surely ordinary
people could work both the purest good and the most wretched
evil without supernatural assistance.  But gracious Selene did
consider the words of Akhel and his lack of belief, and spoke
no word against him, save a mild admonishment not to scorn the
most cherished beliefs of others, yet did she approve of his
willingness to question these very same beliefs.  For Selene
herself had spent her life in scholarly pursuits, preferring
true knowledge to unfounded speculations.  Yet did she speak
of her own belief in the Light and in the Dark, and in the
Creator and the Dark One bound in Shayol Ghul for all the eternal
turnings of the Wheel, and her scholarly words Akhel could
doubt yet could he not refute them.  And Selene did share with
Akhel a great secret, that she feared not to name the Dark One,
even as he did not, yet did she refrain from doing so.

But Akhel said no word when Selene asked him about his history,
and about his reason for travelling into these remote lands.

And even as Selene and Akhel spoke in conversation, their breath
like billowing clouds in the cold night air, Phil David of Earth,
distant Mirror of the Wheel, did bestir himself.  Long weeks had
he slept the sleep of death, yet did his heart beat and his chest
rise then fall with the breath of life.  Weak was his body from lack
of food and movement, and frail was his spirit from the horrors
that he had witnessed, the horrors he had caused.  But Jennifer
of Earth, channeler of saidar did speak unto Phil words of assurance.
And Jennifer said that surely Ishmael must in some way be hiding
the truth, and that perhaps Phil would not further lose his mind
from the taint on saidin, the male portion of the True Source, the
One Power that drives the Wheel of Time through its eternal weaving
of the Ages.  And Phil did hearken unto her words, and put aside
that which he had done to the once great city of Rome and her
world, and that which he unleashed upon the Almoth Plains.

And so it was that Phil rested and restored a small portion of his
strength, that he might once again travel, yet was his strength in
large measure gone.  And Ulric Druss,  Blademaster and onetime
captain of mighty Tear did practice his art and teach whosoever
would engage him, yet did he practice the art of fighting bereft of
weapons with young Haemish of the Water Seeker sept of the Taardad
Aiel.

Upon each night did young Haemish remove himself further from the
companionship of his fellows into the frigid night to sleep in
solitude, yet did his dreams follow him wheresoever he went.

One fortnight was spent in rest and in recovery of lost strength
and spirit, and upon each night did Haemish feel the presence of
the Wise Ones of the Aiel upon his dreams.  But on the last night
of their sojourn did he find himself standing in the Aiel Waste,
called by its people the Threefold Land.  And before him stood
thirteen Wise Ones of the Aiel.  And the women regarded him
without expression, as though he were no more or less important
than the barren rocks of the Waste itself, and he bowed his head
before them, that he might no longer see their eyes, and that
they might not see his distress.

But one Wise One whom young Haemish knew as Amys saw through his
subterfuge, as did the others, and she did revile him for his
disobedience and for his disregard of ji'e'toh, the code of honor
to which the Aiel dedicate themselves, and young Haemish did
wither beneath her contempt yet did he raise his head in defiance
to face whatsoever might come, and he spoke unto her saying
that he would fight Sightblinder in his own manner.  And
Sightblinder is a name by which the Aiel call the Dark One.

But the Wise One replied not unto his words, but took from him
one of his three spears and shattered it across her knee.  Then
did she toss the shattered remnants upon the ground, yet did
Haemish resist not her actions.  But rage did fill Haemish's heart
and hatred poured out through his gaze, yet could he do nothing
to gainsay the Wise One.

Then did Amys did mock him, asking which society he might join
when he returned to his people from his heroic exploits among
the wetlanders, for none amongst the Aiel would have one such
as he, who had betrayed ji'e'toh.  And thus speaking did she
take from Haemish the second of his three spears.

But young Haemish would not act in accordance with the wishes
of Amys or of the Wise Ones, for he did not wish to fight the
Dark One in the Blight and in so doing die an honorable death.
And young Haemish did admit his desire to live, yet did Amys
assure him that he could not do so with any honor, and thus
did she break the second spear.

Then did Haemish turn from Amys and the Wise Ones, yet did
a wall of Air bar his passage, and again did he face Amys.
But even as Amys of the Wise Ones did reach for the only
spear remaining to Haemish, did he pull it away from her
grasp, shaking with unspoken rage.  Yet the Wise One remained
impassive, and told him to either remember his toh, his
obligation to the Aiel, or to break the third spear himself.

For a long moment did Haemish stand before the Wise One.  Then
did he shatter his last spear as though he were breaking his
own arm, and still was the Wise One unmoved, yet did she
acknowledge his decision.  "So be it," spoke the Wise One.  "You
have found the water that you had sought, yet no longer are you
a Water Seeker.  You have dedicated yourself to some wetlander
quest, yet no longer are you Dedicated, no longer are you Aiel.
The Threefold Land is yours no longer, and you are not welcome
here, wetlander."  Then did Amys turn her back to young Haemish,
as did the other Wise Ones, and they did leave him in solitude
with his broken spears.

And so it was that Haemish did awaken from his slumber.  Beside
him were his spears, unbroken, yet did his hand shake from the
strength with which he found himself gripping them, even as he
returned unto the waking world.

And after some time had passed, even on that selfsame day, the
others also did rise from their sleep, and then did they leave
this place of rest for ancient Manetheren.  Many days did they
travel, always higher amongst the mountains, until the last
treetops were below them.  Now did the unrelenting drizzle
yield to gentle snowflakes and flecks of ice borne upon the
mists, yet still was it not winter.

Near were these companions to the site of ancient Manetheren,
once foremost in the fight against the Shadow, most hated
by the Dark One and his foul minions.  And so it was that
the road did divide itelf in twain.  Never had such a sundering
been seen during these months of travel, for always had the
ancient road of Manetheren led ever onward, yet now did it
diverge, and at this height could the sun be discerned, for
the mists lay below.

And of the divergent roads, one continued upward, toward the
inhospitable peaks of ice and snow, and the other did lead
downward, for the first time.  Too near to the site of ancient
Manetheren were these companions to discern from the map which
road led to the end of their journey.  But where the ancient roads
did meet was there an ancient obelisk, upon which was
engraved all manner of writings and traceries.  Much of the
engraving had been worn away by years almost beyond number,
and the script was beyond discernment.  But the worn engravings
were much like some of the designs contained within that great
tome, _The Nine Rods of Dominion_, yet was that tome rich with
poems and vague foretellings far removed from true understanding.

Much was written of paths and choices, and of divergent ways, yet
was much written regarding all manner of things, from the inner
significance of a single feather and its relationship to the
unknown ninth attribute of Dominion, to the most proper way to
slaughter a pig.

But the scholar Selene did look upon the obelisk in open wonder.
"It can't be," did she whisper in awe most profound.  In rapt
concentration did she stand herself before the obelisk.  As
tall as two men did it stand, and she did run her fingers along
the worn tracery and unintelligible script.  Long did she stand
before the obelisk, as one lost unto the world.  And when
Akhel asked in mockery about what she had divined from the obelisk
and her years of sheltered study, still did she ignore him, and
Jennifer did keep him from further disturbing her study.

From late morning through the early afternoon did she examine
the obelisk, drawing forth a journal in which she did write all
manner of things and drew precise diagrams, even as she did
examine the obelisk.  Each face of the obelisk did she examine
as the day drew onward.  In mounting impatient did her companions
wait, yet did Jennifer prevent them from interrupting Selene
in even the slightest manner.

And so it was in the late afternoon that Selene drew forth from
her bags all manner of strange implements.  Fine string did she
draw forth and smooth like glass, and all manner of translucent
stones that did catch and bend the light as she held each one
before her eyes.  Of seven colors were these stones.  Also
did she draw forth a single stone clearer than the purest water
and another stone whose darkness seemed to drink in the very light
about it.  And with the fine string did Selene make the finest
measurements.  With great patience did she place each stone in its
own place.

Then did Selene draw all manner of intricate tracery in the light
snow that lay all about the obelisk, yet could it hardly be
discerned even by Selene herself.  And Selene muttered unto herself
in disapproval, yet did she continue.  And when her labors were
complete she looked upon them and she did mutter, "I hope I
remember this right," yet did only Jennifer hear her speak, for
the other companions did remove themselves from the obelisk a
short distance, that they might talk and laugh amongst themselves
and not disturb Selene.

And Selene drew forth a blade of wondrous quality, and turned again
toward the obelisk.  And she did chant in an unspoken tongue, even
as she circumscribed the obelisk, walking ever inward.  Long did
she chant, and many times did she circle the obelisk, treading
amongst her traceries and measurements and the stones she had arrayed
all about the obelisk, until she stood at its very foundation.  Her
grace was beyond that of the finest dancer, and her voice was purer
than the Light itself.

Then did Selene raise the dagger on high, and the fine blade did
catch the light of the setting sun.  Now was the attention of all
upon her, yet she noticed not, for she intoned a declaration on high,
yet did she speak in words unintelligible.  Then did she turn to face
each of the four directions, and she did repeat her chant and intonation.

But Jennifer of Earth, channeler of saidar, female portion of the One
Power, True Source of the Pattern and all of Creation, felt the
overwhelming presence of saidar.  All about her did she feel saidar,
as far as her senses could reach, yet was the saidar pervasive rather
than strong, and it was everywhere.  Yet did the saidar seem incomplete,
as though it were a fabric lacking fully half of its weave.  And the
immense flow of the One Power did seem to emanate from everywhere and
nowhere, for Jennifer could discern no saidar emanating from Selene
herself.  Yet did Selene continue as though she noticed nothing, for
only a channeler of the One Power can perceive its flows.

And Selene did then extend her arms aloft, and she did bear the dagger
in her left hand, and she did look upward, unto the heavens, even into
the sun, and all about her could see her smile.  And her smile was like
unto that of a man accepting a death of his own volition, like a child
upon her first taste of a sugary sweet, like that of a woman gazing
into the eyes of her lover.  And Selene did turn about in a motion
slow and graceful until she again faced the sun, and then did she lower
the dagger across her right wrist in a single swift motion.  Then did
her blood pour forth, yet did her smile not waver, for did it not
already contain the pain of every sad smile ever to cross a face?

But Selene did hold her wrist unto the Light, and her blood did stream
down her arm.  And her blood upon the ground did flow, even to fill
the strange marking she had inscribed in the snow, yet did the snow
melt not, and did the blood now reveal the etchings in perfect clarity,
even as she did circumscribe the obelisk once again.

Then did she hold the dagger in her right hand hand, yet did she turn
her back upon the sun, and none could behold her face.  Again did she
chant, yet could the roughness of her tone be discerned even beneath
her incomprehensible utterances, and then did she open her other wrist,
spilling forth even more blood.  And after a long moment, she did press
her bleeding wrists against the obelisk.  But when she withdrew her
wrists, no longer did they bleed, for where she had opened her veins
and arteries there remained only scars.  Only then did Selene stagger
from the obelisk, to rejoin her companions.

And light came forth from the obelisk toward the sun, even as the
obelisk and the blood Selene had spilled out onto the ground did
become as liquid flame, and the light filtered itself through the
stones Selene had set about the obelisk, yet too weary was Selene
even to look once upon this wonder.

Never had Selene seemed to tire.  For without complaint did the scholar
face trials her kind endures only through the experience of other people
recorded in books and in journals, stored on the dusty shelves of
libraries.  The cold could not chill the warmth of her aspect, nor could
the rain dampen her spirit.  But now she was pale from lack of blood,
which lay about her on the ground and on her garments, and was as if
a great weariness had descended upon her, for she had spent most of her
lifeblood in that which she did.

But none amongst the company knew or understood what she did, for her
actions were in no manner akin to the channeling of the One Power, not
in even the most fabulous tales. Yet did Jennifer of Earth recognize
something in that which Selene had done, for Selene did seem to have
performed that which Jennifer might call a ritual, yet did Jennifer
harbor no comprehension of what Selene had done.

And so it was, that Jennifer asked gracious Selene to speak of what
she had done, and Selene consented to answer, yet did she address
Akhel when she spoke.  And in her words, Selene did not name the
obelisk, and called it only a thing.  Yet did she say that according
to some, the obelisk is older than all of Creation, yet according to
others, the obelisk was the first creation, the center of this, and
possibly of all the worlds, yet until no she knew not whether the
obelisk truly existed, or whether it was mere legend.

But Akhel was interested less in the history of the obelisk, for even
now he believed not in the Creator, nor in the Dark One, though to
Creation itself he did grudgingly ascribe existence, if not that it
had been created, than to the purpose of the obelisk.  For surely
Selene did not spill her blood upon the ground without purpose.

And Selene did laugh at her own self, for she claimed no true knowledge
of the obelisk's use, yet did she know her own purpose.  For the
obelisk, she claimed, was the very essence of ta'averen, and that
some scholars believe that all the worlds formed itself about the
obelisk, a shard of pure ta'averen, just as lesser ta'averen
shape the lives and destinies of those about them, yet cannot truly
shape their own.  For Selene did believe that the obelisk existed
before Pattern, Creator and Dark One alike.

But Akhel remained unmoved, and did inquire of Selene whether the
obelisk should be acknowledged as the true Creator, yet did she
listen not to his question, for a scholar speaking of her knowledge
is not easily deterred once brought forth from her reticence.

Yet Phil persisted in asking, for he wished to know if Selene might
somehow tap the elemental power to change and bend the Pattern or
even create new Weaves.  But Selene only answered as though from words
drawn from memory, "Hast thou ever issued orders unto the morning, or
shown the dawn its place?"

For Selene claimed that she did not use the obelisk, that such a thing
can in no manner be used by any, high or low, but that she invoked
it with rites she had deciphered and pieced together from tomes and
sources beyond imagining, yet was most of her rite improvised, for
of some things there is no mention, not in book nor in legend nor
in song.  But of the two roads she said only that either will lead
to Manetheren, yet must each person decide which road is the only
road that will lead to ancient Manetheren, and know for himself the
reason why.

And so it was that Akhel declared that the road leading higher into the
mountains was the correct one, and declared "Why not" as his reason,
defying the Creator to refute him.  And thus speaking did take his
leave to walk along the road above.

But Ulric Druss, Blademaster and once captain of mighty Tear, looked
upon the mighty heights and knew that Manetheren, chief city of the Red
Eagle surely was build amongst the clouds, in the highest and most
unassailable of places, as the eagle nests in her eyrie.  And surely
the road leading to the glory of ancient Manetheren must also lead upward
to the glorious heights.  And after a time, he too chose the road above.

And Haemish, once of the Water Seeker sept, and once of the Taardad
Aiel did return unto the others, for even as Selene did engage herself
in preparation, Haemish did travel forward a distance along each road
to learn the lay of the land.  But through no outward sign could he
discern which road more likely reached Manetheren.  And so he decided
to choose the road above, declaring that challenges must be surmounted
even as are mountains.

But Jennifer of Earth did consider the words of Selene, scholar of
ancient ways, whose beauty was like unto the moon and stars of the
heavens.  And Jennifer knew for herself that the road  below must
be correct, for ancient Manetheren surely had been a great city,
such that could not be erected and maintained even through the
wisdom of her people, the wisdom of Earth, though some say America.

Then did Jennifer speak of what she felt to be the innermost nature of
ta'averen, and she spoke of eddies within the Spaece'thiem Choentinhueme,
and that all the worlds are like unto a vast whirlpool, a Vortex of
Probability Flux.  Other matters did she clarify at this time, before
she set forth toward Manetheren along the road below.

Much time did Phil David of Earth spend in his decision, for in
the words of Selene did he find a promise of hope, for the pure
ta'averen of the obelisk might be great enough to bend even his
own destiny and unshape his doom.  And he did stand before the
obelisk afire with liquid flame to survey the wilderness about
him, for within his heart lay the desire to set forth upon no
road save of his own making.  But Phil did know himself bereft
of strength.  Long had he slept after sending fire across the
Mountains of Mist and even the Almoth Plain, yet was his the
sleep of deprivation.  And so it was that Phil set forth upon
the road above, for to leave the darkest caverns one must ascend
into the light.  Thus did Phil guide his steps, that the road
to Manetheren be akin to his own spiritual journey from Darkness
to Light, from a terrible destiny to a more favorable outcome,
yet did his thoughts change not from those that had brought him
unto this place.

And after some time had come to pass, Selene did find herself
alone beside the obelisk.  Each of the companions had set forth
upon either of the two roads, and each did find a decision within.
And Selene did laugh unto herself, for the men did choose the
difficult road leading higher into the unhosptitable peaks, yet
did the women, Jennifer, Randy Carter and Keilyndra Din Djanin of
the Atha'an Miere prefer the other road.

And so it was that upon the high road the men did find each other,
and continued toward Manetheren, even as the women travelled
similarly upon the road turned downward, after many weeks of
perilous ascent.  And the road leading higher amongst the cold
and icy peaks traversed vistas of perilous beauty, even as the
journey downward proved pleasant and even delightful.  Yet after
three days of travel did these companions meet beside a vast lake,
women and men, and on the horizon could the ruins of an ancient city
be discerned.  But neither Akhel nor Selene was amongst them.

For Akhel did travel forth upon the road above, yet was he not
overtaken by his companions.  And Akhel did walk two days into
a bleak and barren land without food to hunt nor shelter in which
to rest, and even as he did continue upward and onward did the
desolation increase, and he did shiver from the cold.  And so it
was that Akhel returned unto the obelisk, and after four days of
travel and at the end of his supplies did he again see the obelisk,
yet no longer was it afire with liquid flame, and new snow did
conceal what blood might still lie splattered upon the ground.
And Selene also was there, recovered from her ritual.

And Akhel did regard Selene with surprise, and asked why she too
took not the road below as did the others.  But Selene did smile
upon Akhel, and her smile was like unto the return of childhood
innocence lost, and its promise fulfilled.  And she said that most
of his fellows had taken the road above, yet had they provided
true reasons, while his could apply to either road, above or below.

And even as Akhel did turn toward the road he had eschewed, Selene
did volunteer her knowledge of what had surely befallen him.  For
even as he believed in nothing more than his eyes could encompass,
so did he unfurl as his stardard, as his answer to all that is and
all he is, "Why not," trumpeting to all the world that there can be
no true purpose beyond the bleakness of his existence.  And thus
was his experience surely a reflection of his beliefs made manifest,
bereft of joy, purpose and destination, only a desolate road toward
no place at all.

Yet did Akhel speak unto Selene words of denial, for he had made a
promise that he would keep, for he would owe no debts even to one
who had acknowledged none.  And in mockery did he prostrate himself
before the obelisk, saying "She went that way, oh Stone Creator,
and my path lies that way as wel, for I must find her.  I must not
owe debts."  And Akhel did laugh bitter laughter.

But Selene only smiled and told Akhel to tarry a short while, that
she might pack away her belongings and then accompany him.

And so it was that Akhel and Selene rejoined their companions beside
the lake they had reached  two days earlier.  And they did listen
to their companions speak of their own travels, yet no word did they
speak of their own.