A
Forgotten Past
Discovered, Part III
by
Cor Dazar
When we finally made
it to Rhuidean it
was mid-day, I said
farewell to Coliran
and we parted ways
for the time. I had
promised him that I
would seek him out
after my business
with my mother had
been taken care
of. The groups
broke apart each
person going their
own way. I
stood there for
several minutes
longer though, not
quite sure what
exactly I should
do. Finally I
headed off down one
of the smaller
streets where the
crowd was less in
search of my mother.
I followed the
roofmistress
instructions to the
letter until I found
myself in a smaller
part of the city
where the buildings
were only several
stories high.
Men and women moved
in and out the doors
in a broken stream
sometimes there was
no one sometimes
groups of five or
six people would
pass in or
out. I walked
up to the main
entrance looking for
someone who might be
able to provide me
with
instructions.
A fairly tall woman
was sweeping out the
entrance with a
straw broom.
She was dressed much
like the
roofmistress of Cold
Rocks Hold. Gray
light brown hair
with a tint of red
and several streaks
of gray in it fell
down to the middle
of her back, which
was turned to me.
“Excuse me miss, I
was wondering if you
could help me.” I
began but as she
turned around her
eyes widened in
surprise and she
threw her arms
around me.
“Rahien! You’ve
come home.” She
gasped in
surprise. For
a second she held
onto me in a hug
that I thought might
break my ribs, but
then she suddenly
released me and
stepped back.
“You are not my
boy, he would not
have addressed me
so.” She
looked at me waiting
for an answer.
“But I am your
boy, well one of
them any ways.” I
said before she
interrupted me
“Cor? It can’t
be they told us you
were dead, that you
had been attacked by
wetlanders.”
“No, I’m not
dead yet, but come
that’s not a story
for out in the
open. Do you
have a place where
we can talk
privately? I’ve
wished for this day
for a long time and
do not want it to be
interrupted.”
She nodded and led
me up several
flights of stairs
and into a large
apartment that was
apparently
hers. We
talked for hours and
when the sun went
down she insisted
that I stay for the
night. The
next day she had
more questions for
me and I for her,
but eventually I
said good bye for
the time. I
still wanted to meet
Coliran and find
myself my own
lodging for the time
that I was to stay
in Rhuidean.
After several months
in Rhuidean I had
become quite a
highly respected
member of the Far
Aldazar Din, the
warrior society
which I had joined
several weeks after
my first day in
Rhuidean. I
had talked with my
mother many times
sense then learning
about the brother
and sister I had
never known. I
spent a large
portion of my time
with the Maidens
though. After
I had arrived word
spread quickly and
pretty soon my
entire past was well
known to
everyone. When
the Far Dareis Mai
discovered that my
true mother was a
Maiden of the spear
they took a good bit
of interest in
me. Most
treated me something
like a younger
brother, and some
like a grown son
that still needed
watching over.
In all truths, one
of them could have
been my true
mother. I had
learned years ago of
the game Maidens
Kiss and had stayed
away knowing the
rules far to well,
but somehow I found
myself often caught
up in the game with
the maidens.
While most treated
me like one of their
blood, there were
still a few who
still thought of me
as just another man
that they could toy
with, and I let
them. In
return I gained a
good bit of
knowledge about the
Far Dareis Mai
society, not as much
as I would have
liked but still more
than most men
learned. Even
the wise ones took a
small interest in
me; I remember all
to well that first
meeting with
them. It was
just after I had
contacted several of
my friends in the
tower through their
dreams letting them
know I was all right
and would return as
soon as I was
able. I had
blocked those who
had been watching my
dreams the past
nights for the short
time that I used
Tel'aran'rhiod.
Coliran had woken me
up earlier than
usually telling me
that the wise ones
wished to speak to
me. I went to
where I had been
instructed and
suddenly found
myself
surrounded. I
had thought the
Brown sisters had
interrogated me, but
they didn’t hold a
candle to the wise
ones. By the
time I had my full
life story out for
them to analyze it
was mid-day. I
had kept back some
things of course but
they did not seem to
notice. They
talked about me like
I wasn’t there,
discussing parts of
the tale I had told
them when suddenly
another appeared
near by.
Lirelle, would you
come over here for a
second? I knew
that name and as she
approached I
realized I knew her
face as well.
“It was you.
You sent me from my
home into the
wetlands.”
She gave me a
shocked look and
then studying me for
a second longer
suddenly lowered her
head.
“Yes, I sent you,
had I known what
troubles were to
befall you I think I
might have thought
differently, but it
had to be done.”
“It had to be
done?” I asked
incredulously “What
do you mean it had
to be done?”
“That my boy is
wise one
business. All
will be reviled one
day but for now I
see that it was good
that I sent you
away.”
With that she and
the others left me
with hundreds of
unanswered
questions.
After all that time
in Rhuidean I became
anxious to leave, my
father and two
siblings were still
in Cairhien, and I
had duties still in
the Tower that I had
neglected for far to
long. Finally
I got in with a
large group of
Warriors that were
going to join the
other forces.
It took a small bit
of persuading but
finally the allowed
me to join it. After
many good byes, and
promises to keep in
touch I finally
found myself
marching with five
hundred other Aiel
of all warrior
societies.
Over the next days
of traveling, I made
friends with a large
fraction of the five
hundred that I
traveled with.
By that time I had
become a master of
the spear and of the
Aiel way of fighting
with hand and foot,
I knew the
three-fold land as
well as those who
had grown up in
it. For these
things I had gained
a well-deserved high
social status.
I even had some
suggest that if the
chance arose that I
should try to pass
through the arches
of Rhuidean and
attempt to become a
clan chief.
They did not seem to
understand that I
would have to leave
eventually.
We entered the Aiel
camps in Cairhien
just a few hours
before the sun had
set. The group
broke apart each
society splitting to
find where they were
set at. Much
of the Aiel forces
were still camped
beyond the city’s
walls, although some
had been sent inside
usually those who
had duties guarding
the Car’a’carn.
I discovered quickly
that both my brother
and sister were in
the city, of my
father I could get
no report. I
would have left that
very minute but it
was already dark and
I had several things
to take care of
before I was free to
go. Tomorrow
would be time enough
to find the rest of
them. It took
me all night but I
finally discovered
what where my father
was. He had
gone to Tear with to
help in the invasion
of Illian and still
had not
returned. That
night I was cornered
by several of the
maidens, they had
apparently heard
about the many times
I had played their
game and wished to
see if it was
true. So
I for the next
several minutes I
found myself
surrounded by a ring
of maidens with
spears pressing
lightly against my
throat.
I was awake with the
rising of the sun; a
few trickles of
blood still came
from the few tiny
nicks I had received
the night
before. These
maidens were much
harder to please,
but it was still
fun. I still
could not explain
why it was that I
could no longer
refuse the game; it
was like I had left
some part of me
behind when I
started this
journey. I
felt as if a
tightness had left
me, that I was free
to make my own
decisions in life
without having to
think of what the
consequences to
others might
be. I
stretched my
tightened muscles, a
grin which had
replaced my normal
emotionless stony
face several months
ago covered my face,
and my eyes glinted
with a hint of
knowledge that no
one else knew.
I went straight to
Cairhien, and
directly to the
where the Aiel
warriors were
housed. From
there I gained
directions to the
Far Aldazar Din’s
quarters. I
felt their eyes
staring at me, they
did not know who I
was, for all they
knew I was Rahien.
They knew though,
the ones I asked for
directions knew for
sure after that but
the other on lookers
must have noticed
something.
Perhaps it was the
way that I walked or
the tone of my
voice, or the way
that I spoke.
I had learned early
on to control which
accents I spoke in,
carefully listening
to and mimicking the
Aiel sounding voice
instead but I could
have let it
slip. The only
other possibility
that I could think
of was the Rahien
himself had just
passed the same way
only a short time
earlier. When
I reached the Far
Aldazar Din quarters
I got the strangest
stares of all.
Even in Rhuidean for
the first few weeks
I had many people
stop and look to
make sure they were
seeing right, just
last night people
looked at me oddly
until someone
explained it to
them, but never had
I gotten such
strange looks as
these. I knew
then that I must not
be to far behind my
brother and that he
must have entered
only a few minutes
possibly seconds
ahead of me. I
walked up to one of
the men staring with
a completely puzzled
look on his face,
and asked for
directions.
“Excuse me Sir,
but I’m looking
for my brother
Rahien Dazar, could
you direct me to
him?” The
man’s eyes
remained glued on
me, but he nodded
after a little
while. He led
me himself right to
Rahien’s door and
even knocked on it
for me. It was
strange watching
him, so much wood
had never existed in
the waste and they
were still getting
use to doors.
After a few seconds
the door was pulled
open and stepping
through the doorway
was my exact
double. It was
like looking in a
mirror, we even
moved the same way
each of us moving a
hand to touch the
others, in the exact
same spot, to make
sure it was
real. I know I
had been told that I
had a twin that he
looked exactly like
me but just telling
can not come to
actually meeting
him. The man
who had led me there
had disappeared,
probably to tell the
others what had
happened. We
stared at each other
a few moments longer
and then finally he
spoke breaking the
silence.
“Who? I mean
how…” the words
fell dead in his
throat.
“I’m Cor Dazar,
your brother.
The pattern may have
not wanted us to
grow up together but
it can not keep us
apart forever.”
“A brother, but I
already have a twin
sister. How is
it that you have the
same face as me?”
It was like talking
to myself I thought
the same pale gray
eyes stared out at
me above the same
carefree grin, which
appeared suddenly on
his face, sometimes
breaking past the
shock and curiosity.
“It’s a long
story that would be
better told some
place where we can
sit.” I
replied. He
nodded and led me
into his room so we
could talk in peace.
“You know I always
seemed to have a
memory of another
sibling when I was
young but it always
just seemed like a
person I had created
in my
imagination.
When I mentioned it
to Tai, our sister,
she said that she
too remembered the
same.”
Rahien talked more
to himself, but I
nodded in accordance
as he spoke.
“I had wanted to
ask father about it
but he was sent to
Tear before I got a
chance.” He
looked straight at
me, his eyes
scanning every inch
of me. “How
is it possible?”
He muttered to
himself but I caught
it and smiled.
“I don’t know
everything myself
but I will try to
explain it as best I
can.” I
said. He
nodded and then
after a second for
me to gather my
thoughts I started
in the telling him
of my life. I
figured it would be
the easiest way and
also I wanted him to
know
everything. I
did not want secrets
between us. He
listened
tentatively, never
asking any questions
or interrupting like
most people liked to
do when I told them
this same
speech. I
demonstrated a few
simple tricks with
the one power for
him. I told
him about my visits
to Cold Rocks Hold,
and to Rhuidean and
of all that had been
told me, time past
quickly as I told my
tale explaining to
him all that was in
my power to
explain. When
I finally finished
he looked at me
thoughtfully for
several long
seconds.
“Well brother.”
A toothy smile
flashed on his face
as he said it.
“Since you have
told me everything
about yourself, I
think it is only
fair that you knew
about me as well.”
I was glad he had
decided to open up
to me, for the whole
day I had been
wondering what would
happen if he did not
accept me, but he
seemed to believe
every word I had
said. Rahien
had led almost as
interesting a life
as I had myself,
although he faced a
few different
challenges that I
had. I was
very relieved to
find out that he had
not yet developed
the ability to
channel. Even
if he had the
ability he would not
be tested and so at
least his life would
not be ruined like
mine eventually
would. He told
me about our sister,
of the things they
had both gotten into
together. She
also did not have
the ability to
channel.
Finally when
everything had been
told we just looked
at each other.
Neither one saying a
word, just thinking
about all that we
had learned about
each other this
day. The
silence was broken
by the door being
pushed open, and
several Aiel men
pushed their way in.
“I see you Rahien
Dazar.” One
of the men
intoned “I
see you Cor Dazar.”
He then added
“May you find
shade this day.”
“I see you Rinard,”
Rahien
replied. “May
you find shade this
day.” I
thought about
responding also but
Rinard rushed in
before I could open
my mouth.
“Rahien, your
sister has heard
tales of your double
walking the streets
and wishes to speak
with you.”
He gave me a pointed
look.
“Why the others?”
I asked gesturing to
the three men
dressed in white
standing slightly
behind Rinard.
Such a message as
that would not
require such
formality or gai’shain.
“Tai is not the
only one who has
heard the
stories. These
men are with me
under orders to see
if the rumors are
true. I
happened to meet up
with them on my way
here and they
decided to follow.” I
nodded thoughtfully
and then looked to
Rahien, who had
turned to look at
me. We both
smiled at the action
and then both turned
our heads to see the
other men’s
reactions.
“I hear it is not
wise to keep Far
Dareis Mai waiting.”
I said finally
“Come, let us see
what other stories
we can start today.”
Rahien added
Rinard and the other
men left slightly
before us each
returning to report
on what they had
seen. Who would send
gai’shain to look
for me? I thought to
myself. I had
lived in too Tar
Valon and been a
player of Daes
Dae'mar to long not
wonder why three gai’shain
of the Shaarad, the
Miagoma, and the
Taardad had been
sent out to check
and see if another
man who had looked
like Rahien truly
existed. Any
number of Aiel had
gai’shain. A
clan chief or wise
one seemed the most
likely choices since
they usually have
the larger numbers
of gai’shain in
there service. I
knew the clan chief
of the Taardad by
name but the other
two where
mysteries. The
wise ones could have
had word of me as
soon as I left
Rhuidean and been
asked to keep an eye
on me, but then they
could just have
easily asked any of
those in the party I
had traveled with if
I had come into the
city. From there it
could be easily
guessed where I
went. My
thoughts were cut
off abruptly as we
arrived at a hallway
with several Maidens
sitting about the
entrance.
“I see you Rahien.”
A short maiden with
red hair, but she
cut short when I
stepped up behind
him.
“I see you Anay,
may you find shade
this day.”
Rahien said,
“I had a message
that my sister
wished to see me?” The
woman still looked
uncertain about it
all, but she nodded
slightly in reply to
his question.
Rahien took no
notice of it, but
the woman’s hands
flashed quickly and
one of the others
who had been
watching us quickly
rose to her feet and
headed off down the
hall.
“I was only
expecting one.”
She began again but
then stopped not
sure how to
continue.
“My brother
insisted that I meet
my sister while I
had a chance.”
I said looking up to
see where the other
maiden had gone but
she had disappeared
from view.
“Yes.” Rahien
put in. “Our
brother Cor has just
arrived today after
a long
journey. He
has been away for
many years and
wished to catch up
on old times.
When I received Tai’s
message I thought it
would be good for
them to meet.”
The woman only
nodded her head
turning back and
forth from each of
us trying to keep
track of it
all. Anay took
a quick glance to
her side and I
noticed that the
girl that had been
sent off had
returned.
Their hands flashed
back and forth for a
brief second and
then Anay smiled at
us.
“I shall not hold
you longer. I
trust you know where
Tai is lodged.”
She said it looking
at me, but I knew
whom she meant it
for and
nodded. We
both started off
down the hall Rahien
a few steps ahead of
me. The doors
had been taken away
in these halls,
bright colored
pieces of fabrics in
their place.
We turned several
corners until
finally we reached
our
destination.
Rahien walked right
in brushing the
cloth aside. I
followed not far
behind.
Inside a woman as
tall as myself had
her arms wrapped
around Rahien, she
did not notice my
entrance.
After a second she
released him and
stepped back a
second.
“Brother I’ve
heard rumors of a
man who looks like
you walking through
the city. It
is said he’s a
dark friend here to
kill you and take
your place.”
“That would
explain the gai’shain.”
I said interrupting
whatever else she
was going to say. It
was the first time
she noticed me, the
shock plain on her
face. She
looked Rahien over
quickly for a knife
to be sticking out
of his back or
something. He
looked back at be
with a slight grin.
“These children
today. Always
believing rumors
that were started by
one of wetlander
servants.” Her
eyes widened
slightly and then
narrowed “Who are
you calling a
child? I’m
the same age as you.”
She shoved him hard
and he took a few
steps back. He
grinned at her and
then turned to me as
if asking for help.
“Don’t look at
me.” I
chuckled. “I’m
just the dark friend
Tai gave me an angry
look that I knew all
to well; I received
it an awful lot from
the novices and
accepted when I over
stepped my bounds
back at the tower.
“Now sister, don’t
go scaring away our
brother before he
has a chance to get
to know you.”
Rahien said
“Brother? He
certainly looks like
us but how do we
know he’s not one
of those male
channelers who had
disguised himself to
look like you?
What if he’s here
to kill the Car’a’carn?”
She persisted
“Because, If I
wanted you dead I
would have killed
you already.”
I said, a grin
flashing across my
face before
disappearing into my
old stony look.
She laughed slightly
and gave me a look
that equaled my
own. “You
couldn’t have
gotten within five
feet of me before I
had a spear through
you.”
“Perhaps, but we
will test that
theory later.
Would you permit me
to share my
explanations before
you decide my fate?” Rahien
laughed until Tai
gave looked at him
and then he was
quiet, although a
grin still held firm
on his face.
She looked back at
me and motioning for
me to take a seat on
the floor. Rahien
and herself followed
after I was
set. I went
through my life all
over again, like I
had done with Rahien
I left nothing out,
hoping that they
both would be able
to keep my
secrets. Pale
gray eyes were
locked onto my own
as each of them
listened
intently. I it
me suddenly as I was
finishing up my
story how much alike
I was to my sister
as well, we were not
as completely
identical as Rahien
and I were but it
was still very
close. When I
finally finished she
just looked at me
thoughtfully for a
long time.
Eventually she
looked over to
Rahien at the same
time the he turned
to her.
“You believe him?”
She said and after
he nodded she added,
“Then I do as
well. Welcome back
brother.”
She smiled then for
the first time since
she had seen me and
hugged me.
I spent several more
months in Cairhien
staying with my
brother and sister,
taking up guard
duties with them and
without.
Eventually everyone
became use to all of
us being around and
some were even able
to distinguish
between Rahien and
me. Rhuarc,
the clan chief of
the Taardad was one
of those people. The
day after I had met
with Rahien and Tai
for the very first
time he had sent
word that he wished
to meet with us
all. He had
been in Cold Rocks
Hold when we were
children and wished
to see what we had
become of us
all. He had
been informed of my
life and asked me
several questions
about the blight and
several of my
hunts. It had
not been a long
meeting but a
pleasant one, it
turned out to be
more eventful than I
had even expected.
As we left I felt
the presence of
another man who
could channel.
Instinct made me
turn around to see
who it was, and I
was shocked to see
the Car’a’carn
coming toward
us. Our eyes
met briefly in
recognition, but
other than that I
saw nothing else on
his face. We
continued on in the
opposite direction,
the Car’a’carn
stepping into the
room we had just
left.
“So you see
Maihgread Sedai.”
I summed up
“I have not been
lax on this
trip. I will
be back in a few
days. I need
to get away from the
city and people
before I can open a
gateway. Make
sure the proper
people know.” She
laughed at me a
smile spreading
across her
face. “Don’t
worry Cor, I will
take care of things.”
We stood in her room
at the Tower; light
seemed to come from
everywhere and
nowhere at the same
time.
Maihgread was
dressed in a white
silk dress that fell
to her feet. I
was still in my
brown and gray cadin’sor,
I doubt I would ever
go back to my black
and green ones that
I had once
worn. We had
met every month in
this same place
since I had
contacted her from
Rhuidean. It
had been more of an
accident than
anything else that
had led to the
meeting. I had
gone into Tel’aran’rhiod
to reach the dreams
of my friends
Rillian Thandril and
Sorhan Gaidin.
That had gone off
well enough, I had
delivered a short
message but I didn’t
want to leave just
yet I decided to
wander about the
Tower and see if
anything major had
been added or
removed from the
place. I had
met up with
Maihgread during
this
wandering. I
did not ask why she
was there and she
did not ask me my
purposes either we
simply talked.
After that we had
arranged a meeting
place and she had
agreed to let people
know I was still
alive.
“Hurry back.
The Tower just isn’t
the same without
you.” She
said bringing me
back out of my
thoughts.
“I’m sure you
would get along fine
if I stayed where I
was.” I
said, a smile just
barely touching my
lips.
“Cor.” She
said as I began to
leave. “Come
back with this new
attitude if you
can. I like
this new you much
better.”
I bowed low to her,
“As you wish Aes
Sedai. I will
try my best.”
With that I left Tel’aran’rhiod,
returning to my
normal dreams.
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