Diary of the Dead
an excerpt

“...Channeled attack...unknown origins...” Awareness returned in layers it seemed. Conversation drifted into her consciousness through a thick cloud. The topic was an interesting one and it took the warder a while to grasp the gravity of the situation. /Light, are they talking about me?/ She found herself in an interesting place, metaphysically. /Am I dead?/ Can't be. When you're gone, that's it. There's no talking or thinking. /Is that so? You've been dead before to know these things?/ Well, no. /I thought not, stop talking out the horse's back end./ Can you see? /No./ Have you tried? /Will you wait a second, they're talking again./

A woman spoke, both voices earlier had been women but one was decidedly monotone while the other demanded obedience with every syllable. /Kaydrienne?/ “The Master at Arms has been attacked with the Power, Sister. I would say that warrants the Red Ajah's involvement.” /No, definitely not Kaydrienne./ The other woman droned on but was equally as firm in her argument. “As you and every other Sister in the lobby have already Delved her, your involvement is not required until the Captain is awake and recovered. I suggest that you take a closer look at the room in which she was found.” The Red exploded indignance as much as any Aes Sedai ever did. “How dare you presume to tell me what to do! The Red Ajah...” Finally it seemed that Ansiel too had had enough. “Sister. This, if you will take note is not the Red Ajah but is in fact, the Infirmary of the Yellow Ajah. Which would mean that I have every right to say who may remain and what goes on. You Sister, have worn your welcome to the nails and I must insist that you...”

Another entered the fray and where the Red had demanded obedience, this woman commanded it. One word froze the room. “Daughters.”

Fabric rustled and matching demure greetings met their better. “Mother.”

The Amyrlin Seat rebuked her children equally; of no Ajah and yet all. “This is hardly the place. Keet, I need you to compile every sliver of information you can about what's happened in the White Ajah. Coordinate with the Sitters. I need to know as soon as possible if you please.” Redirection and dismissal. Keet thought nothing of it, in fact she did not even feel like she'd lost a battle here. The little Red simply curtsyed and hurried out, intent on her assignment. Then to Ansiel. “Perhaps in the future, you will not discuss such things in the presence of a patient?” It was as good as an edict and the Yellow nodded in understanding. “How is she?” Akari did not feel the cool hand on her forehead. /Kaydrienne? Why can't I sense the Bond?/ Bond? What Bond? Akari ignored the voice as it seemed the conversation had grown muffled. She strained against a weight of some sort that tugged at her consciousness. “It's a good thing that we have two Restorers among us, else there is nothing we could have done.” She started losing words against a drowning exhaustion. “...massive burns...weak but...time and...pull through.” The conversation muffled beyond comprehension and Akari drifted away.

“...but we talked about it and I decided that now was as good a time as any to Bond you.” Now for the first time in her life, Akari found herself involved in a discussion without her knowledge. Warm light courted a light breeze and the two streamed in from the open window to lie across a blanketed figure. “Besides, it's a terrible bother making an appointment with you these days.” Cordelia shifted in her chair by the bed. The Gaidar managed to suppress a smile. “Shall I read one of your books or one of mine? I must confess,” the Gray admitted, “I've found a typo on page ninety-four.” She sounded a trifle proud. “Which puts the score at five to three, my advantage.”

Akari shifted and found rather pleasantly that there was a body attached to her mind...this time. “I'd say that you have my Bond and fairly won.” Languid lids parted to reveal pale green eyes. /Sight, blessed sight./ Wait, Bond? I've got a Bondmate, why do I need another. One is enough, thank you very much. /Right, she's just offered and now is as good a time as any./ What? No. I have Kaydrienne. /The Amyrlin Seat?/ The warder managed a dry chuckle. /Interesting dream, as if that Bond would ever happen./ Akari tuned out the voice not realizing something very important was going on and focused her attention toward the chair's occupant. “Do your worst my friend, and I shall do mine.” Cordelia tilted her head slightly and offered one of her little smiles before rising. The Weave was not a complicated one and soon it settled down upon the Captain along with the Aes Sedai's Oath. Akari smiled at her friend's words and offered all that she was. “Live together, die together.” The day faded again for the Kandori with the final steps that bound them and Cordelia was left alone once more. Alone yet not for she could feel her Warder as she slept. The Aes Sedai regarded the redhead for a time before she returned to her chair. “My book then, we read yours last time.” And she opened a rather large volume at it's pagemarker. “Chapter seventeen; 'On the Light.' The One Power is as complex as it is simple and should be treated as such...”

The General stood before the Hall of the Tower. It was a closed meeting, due to the sensitivity of the issue discussed. The investigation had been ongoing for seven months, every facet of the offending weave's residue had been examined, cross-examined then examined again by every member of those gathered. There had even been a compelling attempt at duplicating the weave under controlled tests in front of the Sitters. What they'd found was not pleasing or comforting to any present. Akari had even acquiesced to testify under an Oath Rod. “Once more if you please, General Miyakawa,” the Keeper of Chronicles asked.

They'd been very accommodating to her during the proceedings. “No Aes Sedai, I cannot recall why I entered the rooms, nor do I find myself in the habit of doing so either under duress or otherwise. I did not see my attacker's face, nor do I have any recollection of the event to this day.” They'd all heard it several times by now.

“Thank you General, that is all.” Akari bowed and returned to sit by her Aes Sedai's side. Kekura deferred to the Amyrlin. “As such, while the investigating Ajahs have found no direct evidence indicating the Black Ajah's involvement or the identity of such individual or individuals. The inquiry has shown the evidence supports the conclusion that this offense was not self defense but indeed a new Weave akin to Balefire and meant solely to kill. It was not a Ward, it was an orchestrated attack the perpetrator of which is still at large.” Kaydrienne swept her gaze over her Sitters. “I do not need to remind you that we live in dangerous times. We must remain vigilant against the Dark One. This matter will continue to see scrutiny until the Light has prevailed...”