#stadfyst

[andthenthenothingcame]

Fall, Year 1

Knowing that Jae's child would soon arrive, Stadfyst wanted to do something special. He wasn't even sure if treesinging was possible in this new land, but he had to try.

[andthenthenothingcame]

Stadfyst begins to speak, reading from the Book of Translation - a thing Glenna would bet good silver was stolen from his elders - in such a way that only sounded like a low, angry hum. When he finishes there is only more silence, pressing down on her shoulders, demanding she look away.

Unlike a typical gateway, this is a door in the truest sense of the word.

Stadfyst takes the key from around his neck and silently places it in the lock - his shaking hands are politely overlooked.

Yet he cannot find it in himself to turn the knob. It's practical Moiruan who does, pushing it open in one heavy shove.

Beyond, beyond a brightness, a world bathed in the sort of sunshine the likes of which they haven't seen in months.

With a deep breath, Glenna gestures for her fellow sisters to step aside as it was already agreed upon that the strongest among them would enter first in case of any danger. Delicate Elain passes them without hesitation, leading her sturdy black mare through the door in a way that would have done even the Young Amyrilin proud.

And then she begins to scream.

[andthenthenothingcame]

"We're here." Her voice is a muted thing, dull with fear. It is no waygate, no carved, beautiful thing. It's huge and terrifying but so help her she feels hope light up in her breast because it's there.

Maker be praised, it's true. Salvation is not lost to us.

"How will we know-" More fear as Elspet swallows the words. Oh, how they all fear what will become of them.

"We won't." Tired and bedraggled, Glenna steps forward, followed by Moiruan and Avraeh, with Kyrah strapped to her chest. She addresses the small assortment behind her, though turning her back on that haunting door makes her feel vulnerable. "I fully expect we will lose access to the source when we cross over."

Naeva frowns. "But what if…"

In the distance others can be seen, the last of their people held in the palm of this strange, strange place only the Ogier understand. May the Maker guide them here. May they find this safety. But it's not for her to decide.

"This is the way, sister. This is the only way. We go forward or we are lost." I cannot falter. I must be brave. That much is true. So much has already faded, eaten up by a magic so dark it could not even be stopped with balefire. Some whispered it was the will of the Dark One, but Avraeh had seen darkfriends amongst the rabble, fleeing as they did. No one knew what it was, only that it was hungry.

Yet the Ogier had warned them when they'd come up with this plan, the dangers… especially for Aes Sedai. 'There may not be a source wherever you end up, Aes Sedai. Are you willing to live with the silence of your gift, the aching void where you know it should be?'

She'd been confident then, defiant even. The people needed confidence. But she did not feel confident now. "Open it, Master Ogier."

[andthenthenothingcame]

Though the Ways were always muffled and dark, today they seemed infinitely more so. Or was it night? They'd all been traveling for days now, lost souls venturing distances unknown. It could have been days out there. She shivered. It could have been YEARS.

Occasionally the bright beacon of fellow travelers could be seen, several stories above or below, sometimes parallel, close enough to touch finger tips. A silent greeting for the remaining pools of humanity left.

Up ahead Stadfyst gingerly consulted a crumbling book.

When the young Ogier had come, he'd been twitchy. Nervous in a way they never were. But he'd explained what he'd found, what it might mean, and for the next week everyone who could hold a pen was drafted into making maps for what he'd discovered just might be their last hope now that-

No, she wouldn't think of it. Best to think ahead.

At last they find themselves on a straightaway, traveling that lonely stretch of stone for what must be three more days.

Despite the situation Stadfyst cannot contain his excitement. It's clear he thinks this is it, the one, last, lonely road left to… he never had decided on where this journey would take them. He only knew it would take them somewhere new. Somewhere safe.

Up ahead, in a pool of stark light, there is a door.