The Eye of the World_51 Flashcards
Lan’s [ken] sprang from its [saya] too fast for Rand’s [me] to follow.
Lan’s sword sprang from its scabbard too fast for Rand’s eye to follow.
Yet the [kanshu] hesitated, [me] flickering to Moiraine, to Nynaeve.
Yet the Warder hesitated, eyes flickering to Moiraine, to Nynaeve.
The two [josei] stood [yoku] apart; to put himself between either of them and the Forsaken would put him further from the [sonota].
The two women stood well apart; to put himself between either of them and the Forsaken would put him further from the other.
Only for a heartbeat the [tamerai] lasted, [shikashi] as the [kanshu]’s [ashi] moved, Aginor raised his [te].
Only for a heartbeat the hesitation lasted, but as the Warder’s feet moved, Aginor raised his hand.
It was a scornful [jesuchā], a flipping of his gnarled [yubi] as [baai] to shoo away a [furai].
It was a scornful gesture, a flipping of his gnarled fingers as if to shoo away a fly.
The [kanshu] flew backwards through the [kūki] as though a huge [kobushi] had caught him.
The Warder flew backwards through the air as though a huge fist had caught him.
With a [nibui] [dosa] Lan struck the [ishi] [āchi], hanging there for an instant before dropping in a flaccid [hīpu], his [ken] lying near his outstretched [te].
With a dull thud Lan struck the stone arch, hanging there for an instant before dropping in a flaccid heap, his sword lying near his outstretched hand.
“NO!”
“NO!”
Nynaeve screamed.
Nynaeve screamed.
“Be still!”
“Be still!”
Moiraine commanded, [shikashi] before anyone else could [ugokasu] the [chie]’s [naifu] had left her [beruto], and she was running toward the Forsaken, her small [ha] upraised.
Moiraine commanded, but before anyone else could move the Wisdom’s knife had left her belt, and she was running toward the Forsaken, her small blade upraised.
“The [hikari] blind you,”
“The Light blind you,”
she [saken da], striking at Aginor’s [mune].
she cried, striking at Aginor’s chest.
The [sonota] Forsaken moved like a [dokuhebi].
The other Forsaken moved like a viper.
[dōjini, tsutsu, issun] her [dageki] still fell, Balthamel’s [kawa]-cased [te] darted out to seize her [ago], [yubi] sinking into one [hō] [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] [oyayubi] [hotta] into the [sonota], [unten] the [chi] out with their [atsuryoku] and raising the [furesshu] in pale [one].
While her blow still fell, Balthamel’s leather-cased hand darted out to seize her chin, fingers sinking into one cheek while thumb dug into the other, driving the blood out with their pressure and raising the flesh in pale ridges.
A [keiren] wracked Nynaeve from [atama] to [tsumasaki], as [baai] she had been cracked like a [muchi].
A convulsion wracked Nynaeve from head to toe, as if she had been cracked like a whip.
Her [naifu] dropped uselessly from dangling [yubi] as Balthamel lifted her by his [gurippu], brought her up to where the [kawa] [masuku] stared into her still-quivering [kao].
Her knife dropped uselessly from dangling fingers as Balthamel lifted her by his grip, brought her up to where the leather mask stared into her still-quivering face.
Her [tsumasaki] spasmed a [ashi] above the [gurando]; [hana] rained from her [kami].
Her toes spasmed a foot above the ground; flowers rained from her hair.
“I have almost forgotten the [yorokobi] of the [furesshu].”
“I have almost forgotten the pleasures of the flesh.”
Aginor’s [shita] crossed his withered [kuchibiru], sounding like [ishi] on rough [kawa].
Aginor’s tongue crossed his withered lips, sounding like stone on rough leather.
“[shikashi] Balthamel remembers much.”
“But Balthamel remembers much.”
The [warai] of the [masuku] seemed to grow wilder, and the [nageki] that left Nynaeve burned Rand’s [mimi] like [zetsubō] ripped from her living [kokoro].
The laughter of the mask seemed to grow wilder, and the wail that left Nynaeve burned Rand’s ears like despair ripped from her living heart.
Suddenly Egwene moved, and Rand [mimashita] that she was going to [tasukeru] Nynaeve.
Suddenly Egwene moved, and Rand saw that she was going to help Nynaeve.
“Egwene, no!”
“Egwene, no!”
he shouted, [shikashi] she did not [teishi].
he shouted, but she did not stop.
His [te] had gone to his [ken] at Nynaeve’s [sakebi], [shikashi] now he abandoned it and threw himself at Egwene.
His hand had gone to his sword at Nynaeve’s cry, but now he abandoned it and threw himself at Egwene.
He thudded into her before she took her third [suteppu], carrying them both to the [gurando].
He thudded into her before she took her third step, carrying them both to the ground.
Egwene landed under him with a gasp, immediately thrashing to get [muryō desu].
Egwene landed under him with a gasp, immediately thrashing to get free.
[tanin] were moving, too, he realized.
Others were moving, too, he realized.
Perrin’s [ono] whirled into his [te], and his [me] glowed golden and fierce.
Perrin’s axe whirled into his hands, and his eyes glowed golden and fierce.
“[chie]!”
“Wisdom!”
Mat howled, the [dagā] from Shadar Logoth in his [kobushi].
Mat howled, the dagger from Shadar Logoth in his fist.
“No!”
“No!”
Rand called.
Rand called.
“You can’t [tatakai] the Forsaken!”
“You can’t fight the Forsaken!”
[shikashi] they hashitta past him as [baai] they had not heard, their [me] on Nynaeve and the two Forsaken.
But they ran past him as if they had not heard, their eyes on Nynaeve and the two Forsaken.
Aginor glanced at them, unconcernedly…
Aginor glanced at them, unconcernedly…
and smiled.
and smiled.
Rand [kanjita] the [kūki] [kakimazeru] above him like the [kiretsu] of a [kyojin]’s [muchi].
Rand felt the air stir above him like the crack of a giant’s whip.
Mat and Perrin, not even halfway to the Forsaken, stopped as [baai] they had [jikkō] into a [kabe], bounced back to sprawl on the [gurando].
Mat and Perrin, not even halfway to the Forsaken, stopped as if they had run into a wall, bounced back to sprawl on the ground.
“[yoi],”
“Good,”
Aginor said.
Aginor said.
“A fitting [basho] for you.
“A fitting place for you.
[baai] you learn to abase yourself properly in [reihai] of us, I might let you live.”
If you learn to abase yourself properly in worship of us, I might let you live.”
Hastily Rand scrambled to his [ashi].
Hastily Rand scrambled to his feet.
Perhaps he could not [tatakai] the Forsaken – no ordinary [ningen] could – [shikashi] he would not let them [shinjiru] for a [bun] that he was groveling before them.
Perhaps he could not fight the Forsaken – no ordinary human could – but he would not let them believe for a minute that he was groveling before them.
He tried to [tasukeru] Egwene up, [shikashi] she slapped his [te] away and stood by herself, angrily brushing off her [doresu].
He tried to help Egwene up, but she slapped his hands away and stood by herself, angrily brushing off her dress.
Mat and Perrin had also stubbornly pushed themselves unsteadily erect.
Mat and Perrin had also stubbornly pushed themselves unsteadily erect.
“You will learn,”
“You will learn,”
Aginor said, “[baai] you want to live.
Aginor said, “if you want to live.
Now that I have found what I must”
Now that I have found what I need”
– his [me] went to the [ishi] [āchi] – “I may take the [jikan] to [oshieru] you.”
– his eyes went to the stone archway – “I may take the time to teach you.”
“This shall not be!”
“This shall not be!”
The [midori] [otoko] strode out of the [kigi] with a [koe] like [keiryō-ka] striking an [kodai] [ōku zai].
The Green Man strode out of the trees with a voice like lightning striking an ancient oak.
“You do not [zokushite imasu] here!”
“You do not belong here!”
Aginor spared him a brief, contemptuous [ichimoku].
Aginor spared him a brief, contemptuous glance.
“Begone!
“Begone!
Your [jikan] is ended, all your [shinsetsu] [shikashi] you long since [hokori].
Your time is ended, all your kind but you long since dust.
Live what [jinsei] is left to you and be glad you are beneath our [chūi shite kudasai].”
Live what life is left to you and be glad you are beneath our notice.”
“This is my [basho],”
“This is my place,”
the [midori] [otoko] said, “and you shall [kizutsuketa] no living [koto] here.”
the Green Man said, “and you shall hurt no living thing here.”
Balthamel tossed Nynaeve aside like a [boro], and like a crumpled [boro] she fell, [me] staring, limp as [baai] all her [hone] had melted.
Balthamel tossed Nynaeve aside like a rag, and like a crumpled rag she fell, eyes staring, limp as if all her bones had melted.
One [kawa]-clad [te] lifted, and the [midori] [otoko] roared as [kemuri] [jōshō shita] from the [budō] that wove him.
One leather-clad hand lifted, and the Green Man roared as smoke rose from the vines that wove him.
The [kaze] in the [kigi] echoed his [itami].
The wind in the trees echoed his pain.
Aginor turned back to Rand and the [tanin], as [baai] the [midori] [otoko] had been dealt with, [shikashi] one long [sutoraido] and massive, leafy [ude] wrapped themselves around Balthamel, raising him high, crushing him against a [mune] of thick [tsuru], [kuro] [kawa] [masuku] laughing into [hēzerunattsu] [me] [kurai] with [ikari].
Aginor turned back to Rand and the others, as if the Green Man had been dealt with, but one long stride and massive, leafy arms wrapped themselves around Balthamel, raising him high, crushing him against a chest of thick creepers, black leather mask laughing into hazelnut eyes dark with anger.
Like [hebi] Balthamel’s [ude] writhed [muryō desu], his gloved [te] grasping the [midori] [otoko]’s [atama] as though he would [renchi] it off.
Like serpents Balthamel’s arms writhed free, his gloved hands grasping the Green Man’s head as though he would wrench it off.
[honoo] [shotto] up where those [te] touched, [budō] withering, leaves falling.
Flames shot up where those hands touched, vines withering, leaves falling.
The [midori] [otoko] bellowed as thick, [kurai] [kemuri] poured out between the [budō] of his [bodi].
The Green Man bellowed as thick, dark smoke poured out between the vines of his body.
On and on he roared, as [baai] all of him were coming out of his [kuchi no naka] with the [kemuri] that billowed between his [kuchibiru].
On and on he roared, as if all of him were coming out of his mouth with the smoke that billowed between his lips.
Suddenly Balthamel jerked in the [midori] [otoko]’s [tsukamimasu].
Suddenly Balthamel jerked in the Green Man’s grasp.
The Forsaken’s [te] tried to [pusshu] him away instead of clutching him.
The Forsaken’s hands tried to push him away instead of clutching him.
One gloved [te] flung wide…
One gloved hand flung wide…
and a tiny [kurīpā] [bāsuto] through the [kuro] [kawa].
and a tiny creeper burst through the black leather.
A [kin], such as [ringu] [kigi] in the [fukai] [kage] of the [mori], ringed his [āmu], sprang from nowhere to full-[zōshoku saseta], swelling to [kabā] the [nagasa] of it.
A fungus, such as rings trees in the deep shadows of the forest, ringed his arm, sprang from nowhere to full-grown, swelling to cover the length of it.
Balthamel thrashed, and a [shūto] of [kusai kusa] ripped [ōpun] his carapace, [chii rui] [hotta] in their [rūtsu] and split tiny [kiretsu] across the [kawa] of his [kao], [irakusa] broke the [me] of his [masuku], deathshead [kinoko] tore [ōpun] the [kuchi no naka].
Balthamel thrashed, and a shoot of stinkweed ripped open his carapace, lichens dug in their roots and split tiny cracks across the leather of his face, nettles broke the eyes of his mask, deathshead mushrooms tore open the mouth.
The [midori] [otoko] threw the Forsaken down.
The Green Man threw the Forsaken down.
Balthamel twisted and jerked as all the [monogoto] that grew in the [kurai] [basho], all the [monogoto] with spores, all the [monogoto] that loved the dank, swelled and grew, tore [nuno] and [kawa] and [furesshu]—Was it [furesshu], seen in that brief [shunkan] of verdant [gekido]?—to tattered [zutazuta] and covered him until only a [maundo] remained, indistinguishable from many in the shaded [fukasa] of the [midori] [mori], and the [maundo] moved no more than they.
Balthamel twisted and jerked as all the things that grew in the dark places, all the things with spores, all the things that loved the dank, swelled and grew, tore cloth and leather and flesh—Was it flesh, seen in that brief moment of verdant rage?—to tattered shreds and covered him until only a mound remained, indistinguishable from many in the shaded depths of the green forest, and the mound moved no more than they.
With a [umekigoe] like a [teashi] breaking under too great a [omosa], the [midori] [otoko] crashed to the [gurando].
With a groan like a limb breaking under too great a weight, the Green Man crashed to the ground.
[hanbun] his [atama] was charred [kuro].
Half his head was charred black.
[makihi ge] of [kemuri] still [jōshō shita] from him, like [gurē] [tsuru].
Tendrils of smoke still rose from him, like gray creepers.
Burned leaves fell from his [āmu] as he painfully stretched out his blackened [te] to gently [chawan] an [donguri].
Burned leaves fell from his arm as he painfully stretched out his blackened hand to gently cup an acorn.
The [chikyū] rumbled as an [ōku zai] [nae] pushed up between his [yubi].
The earth rumbled as an oak seedling pushed up between his fingers.
The [midori] [otoko]’s [atama] fell, [shikashi] the [nae] reached for the [nichi], straining.
The Green Man’s head fell, but the seedling reached for the sun, straining.
[rūtsu] [shotto] out and thickened, delved beneath the [gurando] and [jōshō shita] again, thickened more as they sank.
Roots shot out and thickened, delved beneath the ground and rose again, thickened more as they sank.
The [toranku] broadened and stretched upward, [juhi] turning [gurē] and fissured and [kodai].
The trunk broadened and stretched upward, bark turning gray and fissured and ancient.
[teashi] spread and grew heavy, as big as [ude], as big as [dansei], and lifted to caress the [sora], thick with [midori] leaves, dense with acorns.
Limbs spread and grew heavy, as big as arms, as big as men, and lifted to caress the sky, thick with green leaves, dense with acorns.
The massive [webu] of [rūtsu] turned the [chikyū] like [purau] as it spread; the already huge [toranku] shivered, grew wider, round as a [hausu].
The massive web of roots turned the earth like plows as it spread; the already huge trunk shivered, grew wider, round as a house.
[shizukesa] came.
Stillness came.
And an [ōku zai] that could have stood five hundred [toshi] covered the [supotto] where the [midori] [otoko] had been, [mākingu] the [haka] of a [densetsu].
And an oak that could have stood five hundred years covered the spot where the Green Man had been, marking the tomb of a legend.
Nynaeve lay on the gnarled [rūtsu], [zōshoku saseta] curved to her [keijō], to make a [shindai] for her to [nokori] upon.
Nynaeve lay on the gnarled roots, grown curved to her shape, to make a bed for her to rest upon.
The [kaze] sighed through the [ōku zai]’s [eda]; it seemed to [zatsuon] [o-wakare].
The wind sighed through the oak’s branches; it seemed to murmur farewell.
Even Aginor seemed stunned.
Even Aginor seemed stunned.
Then his [atama] lifted, cavernous [me] [moeru] with [kirai].
Then his head lifted, cavernous eyes burning with hate.
“Enough!
“Enough!
It is past [jikan] to [owari] this!”
It is past time to end this!”
“Yes, Forsaken,”
“Yes, Forsaken,”
Moiraine said, her [koe] as [samui] as [fukai fuyu] [kōri].
Moiraine said, her voice as cold as deep-winter ice.
“Past [jikan]!”
“Past time!”
The Aes Sedai’s [te] [jōshō shita], and the [gurando] fell away beneath Aginor’s [ashi].
The Aes Sedai’s hand rose, and the ground fell away beneath Aginor’s feet.
[honoo] roared from the [wareme], whipped to a [gyakujō] by [kaze] howling in from every [hōkō], sucking a [dai konran] of leaves into the [kasai], which seemed to solidify into a [akai]-streaked [kiiro] [zerī] of pure [netsu].
Flame roared from the chasm, whipped to a frenzy by wind howling in from every direction, sucking a maelstrom of leaves into the fire, which seemed to solidify into a red-streaked yellow jelly of pure heat.
In the [mannaka] of it Aginor stood, his [ashi] supported only by [kūki].
In the middle of it Aginor stood, his feet supported only by air.
The Forsaken looked startled, [shikashi] then he smiled and took a [suteppu] forward.
The Forsaken looked startled, but then he smiled and took a step forward.
It was a [osoi] [suteppu], as [baai] the [kasai] tried to [rūto] him to the [supotto], [shikashi] he took it, and then another.
It was a slow step, as if the fire tried to root him to the spot, but he took it, and then another.
“[jikkō]!”
“Run!”
Moiraine commanded.
Moiraine commanded.
Her [kao] was [shiroi] with [hizumi].
Her face was white with strain.
“All of you [jikkō]!”
“All of you run!”
Aginor stepped across the [kūki], toward the [hashi] of the [honoo].
Aginor stepped across the air, toward the edge of the flames.
Rand was aware of [tanin] moving, Mat and Perrin dashing away at the [hashi] of his [bijon], Loial’s long [ashi] carrying him into the [kigi], [shikashi] all he could really see was Egwene.
Rand was aware of others moving, Mat and Perrin dashing away at the edge of his vision, Loial’s long legs carrying him into the trees, but all he could really see was Egwene.
She stood there rigid, [kao] pale and [me] closed.
She stood there rigid, face pale and eyes closed.
It was not [kyōfu] that held her, he realized.
It was not fear that held her, he realized.
She was trying to, throw her puny, untrained wielding of the [dengen o on ni shimasu] against the Forsaken.
She was trying to, throw her puny, untrained wielding of the Power against the Forsaken.
Roughly he grabbed her [āmu] and pulled her around to [kao] him.
Roughly he grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him.
“[jikkō]!”
“Run!”
he shouted at her.
he shouted at her.
Her [me] opened, staring at him, angry with him for interfering, [ekitai] with [kirai] for Aginor, with [kyōfu] of the Forsaken.
Her eyes opened, staring at him, angry with him for interfering, liquid with hate for Aginor, with fear of the Forsaken.
“[jikkō],”
“Run,”
he said, pushing her toward the [kigi] hard enough to [kaishi, hajimeru] her.
he said, pushing her toward the trees hard enough to start her.
“[jikkō]!”
“Run!”
Once started, she did [jikkō].
Once started, she did run.
[shikashi] Aginor’s withered [kao] turned toward him, toward the running Egwene behind him, as the Forsaken walked through the [honoo], as [baai] what the Aes Sedai was doing did not [kenen] Aginor at all.
But Aginor’s withered face turned toward him, toward the running Egwene behind him, as the Forsaken walked through the flames, as if what the Aes Sedai was doing did not concern Aginor at all.
Toward Egwene.
Toward Egwene.
“Not her!”
“Not her!”
Rand shouted.
Rand shouted.
“The [hikari] [yakedo] you, not her!”
“The Light burn you, not her!”
He snatched up a [iwa] and threw it, [imi] to [dorō] Aginor’s [chūi].
He snatched up a rock and threw it, meaning to draw Aginor’s attention.
Halfway to the Forsaken’s [kao], the [ishi] turned to a [ichi nigiri] of [hokori].
Halfway to the Forsaken’s face, the stone turned to a handful of dust.
He hesitated only a [shunkan], long enough to [ichimoku] over his [kata] and see that Egwene was hidden in the [kigi].
He hesitated only a moment, long enough to glance over his shoulder and see that Egwene was hidden in the trees.
The [honoo] still surrounded Aginor, [pacchi] of his [gaitō] smoldering, [shikashi] he walked as [baai] he had all the [jikan] in the [sekai], and the [kasai]’s [rimu] was near.
The flames still surrounded Aginor, patches of his cloak smoldering, but he walked as if he had all the time in the world, and the fire’s rim was near.
Rand turned and hashitta.
Rand turned and ran.
Behind him he heard Moiraine begin to [himei].
Behind him he heard Moiraine begin to scream.
[akira] 51
Chapter 51
Against the [kage]
Against the Shadow
The [tochi] tended upward the [michi] Rand went, [shikashi] [kyōfu] [kashita] his [ashi] [tsuyosa] and they ate [gurando] in long [zenshin], tearing his [michi] through flowering [busshu] and [no motsure] of [wairudorōzu], scattering [hanabira], not caring [baai] [toge] ripped his [fuku] or even his [furesshu].
The land tended upward the way Rand went, but fear lent his legs strength and they ate ground in long strides, tearing his way through flowering bushes and tangles of wildrose, scattering petals, not caring if thorns ripped his clothes or even his flesh.
Moiraine had stopped screaming.
Moiraine had stopped screaming.
It seemed as [baai] the [kanakirigoe] had gone on forever, each one more [nodo]-wrenching than the [saigo], [shikashi] he knew they had lasted only [shunkan] altogether.
It seemed as if the shrieks had gone on forever, each one more throat-wrenching than the last, but he knew they had lasted only moments altogether.
[shunkan] before Aginor would be on his [toreiru].
Moments before Aginor would be on his trail.
He knew it would be him that Aginor followed.
He knew it would be him that Aginor followed.
He had seen the [kakujitsu] in the Forsaken’s [nakazora] [me], in that [saigo] [ni] before [kyōfu] whipped his [ashi] to [jikkō].
He had seen the certainty in the Forsaken’s hollow eyes, in that last second before terror whipped his feet to run.
The [tochi] grew ever steeper, [shikashi] he scrambled on, pulling himself forward by [nigiri] of [shitakusa], [iwa] and [yogore] and leaves spilling down the [surōpu] from under his [ashi], finally crawling on [te] and [hiza] when the [suranto] became too great.
The land grew ever steeper, but he scrambled on, pulling himself forward by handfuls of undergrowth, rocks and dirt and leaves spilling down the slope from under his feet, finally crawling on hands and knees when the slant became too great.
Ahead, above, it leveled out a little.
Ahead, above, it leveled out a little.
Panting, he scrabbled his [michi] the [saigo] few [supan], got to his [ashi], and stopped, wanting to [hauru] aloud.
Panting, he scrabbled his way the last few spans, got to his feet, and stopped, wanting to howl aloud.
Ten [hochō] in [furonto] of him, the [oka no ue] dropped away sharply.
Ten paces in front of him, the hilltop dropped away sharply.
He knew what he would see before he reached it, [shikashi] he took the [suteppu] anyway, each heavier than the one before, hoping there might be some [torakku], a [yagi] [michisuji], anything.
He knew what he would see before he reached it, but he took the steps anyway, each heavier than the one before, hoping there might be some track, a goat path, anything.
At the [hashi] he looked down a sheer [hyaku ashi] [otosu, shizuku], a [ishi] [kabe] as smooth as planed [mokuzai].
At the edge he looked down a sheer hundred-foot drop, a stone wall as smooth as planed timber.
There has to be some [michi].
There has to be some way.
I’ll go back and find a [michi] around.
I’ll go back and find a way around.
go back and —When he turned, Aginor was there, just reaching the crest.
Go back and —When he turned, Aginor was there, just reaching the crest.
The Forsaken topped the [oka] without any [muzukashisa], walking up the steep [surōpu] as [baai] it were [reberu] [gurando].
The Forsaken topped the hill without any difficulty, walking up the steep slope as if it were level ground.
[fukai]-sunken [me] burned at him from that drawn [yōhishi] [kao]; somehow, it seemed less withered than before, more fleshed, as [baai] Aginor had fed [yoku] on something.
Deep-sunken eyes burned at him from that drawn parchment face; somehow, it seemed less withered than before, more fleshed, as if Aginor had fed well on something.
Those [me] were fixed on him, yet when Aginor spoke, it was almost to himself.
Those eyes were fixed on him, yet when Aginor spoke, it was almost to himself.
“Ba’alzamon will give rewards beyond [shisu] dreaming for the one who brings you to Shayol Ghul.
“Ba’alzamon will give rewards beyond mortal dreaming for the one who brings you to Shayol Ghul.
Yet my dreams have always been beyond those of [sonota] [dansei], and I left [shibō] behind millennia ago.
Yet my dreams have always been beyond those of other men, and I left mortality behind millennia ago.
What [chigai] [baai] you serve the Great [omo] of the [Kurai] alive or [shin da]?
What difference if you serve the Great Lord of the Dark alive or dead?
None, to the spread of the [kage].
None, to the spread of the Shadow.
Why should I [kyōyū shite imasu] [dengen o on ni shimasu] with you?
Why should I share power with you?
Why should I [mage] [hiza] to you?
Why should I bend knee to you?
I, who faced Lews Therin Telamon in the [hōru] of the [kōmuin] itself.
I, who faced Lews Therin Telamon in the Hall of the Servants itself.
I, who threw my might against the [omo] of the [asa] and met him [sutorōku] for [sutorōku].
I, who threw my might against the Lord of the Morning and met him stroke for stroke.
I think not.”
I think not.”
Rand’s [kuchi no naka] dried like [hokori]; his [shita] [kanjita] as shriveled as Aginor.
Rand’s mouth dried like dust; his tongue felt as shriveled as Aginor.
The [hashi] of the [zeppeki] grated under his [kakato], [ishi] falling away.
The edge of the precipice grated under his heels, stone falling away.
He did not dare [hyōjō] back, [shikashi] he heard the [iwa] bounding and rebounding from the sheer [kabe], just as his [bodi] would [baai] he moved another [inchi].
He did not dare look back, but he heard the rocks bounding and rebounding from the sheer wall, just as his body would if he moved another inch.
It was the [saisho] he knew that he had been backing up, away from the Forsaken.
It was the first he knew that he had been backing up, away from the Forsaken.
His [hada] crawled until he [shikō] he must see it writhing [baai] he looked, [baai] he could only take his [me] off the Forsaken.
His skin crawled until he thought he must see it writhing if he looked, if he could only take his eyes off the Forsaken.
There has to be some [michi] to get away from him.
There has to be some way to get away from him.
Some [michi] to [dasshutsu]!
Some way to escape!
There has to be!
There has to be!
Some [michi]!
Some way!
Suddenly he [kanjita] something, [mimashita] it, though he knew it was not there to see.
Suddenly he felt something, saw it, though he knew it was not there to see.
A glowing [rōpu] hashitta off from Aginor, behind him, [shiroi] like [nikkō] seen through the purest [kumo], heavier than a [tanya ya]’s [āmu], lighter than [kūki], connecting the Forsaken to something distant beyond knowing, something within the [tacchi] of Rand’s [te].
A glowing rope ran off from Aginor, behind him, white like sunlight seen through the purest cloud, heavier than a blacksmith’s arm, lighter than air, connecting the Forsaken to something distant beyond knowing, something within the touch of Rand’s hand.
The [rōpu] pulsed, and with every throb Aginor grew stronger, more fully fleshed, a [otoko] as tall and strong as himself, a [otoko] harder than the [kanshu], more deadly than the [kōhai].
The rope pulsed, and with every throb Aginor grew stronger, more fully fleshed, a man as tall and strong as himself, a man harder than the Warder, more deadly than the Blight.
Yet beside that shining [kōdo], the Forsaken seemed almost not to exist.
Yet beside that shining cord, the Forsaken seemed almost not to exist.
The [kōdo] was all.
The cord was all.
It hummed.
It hummed.
It sang.
It sang.
It called Rand’s [tamashī].
It called Rand’s soul.
One bright [yubi kusari] lifted away, drifted, touched him, and he gasped.
One bright finger-strand lifted away, drifted, touched him, and he gasped.
[hikari] filled him, and [netsu] that should have burned yet only warmed as [baai] it took the [samusa] of the [haka] from his [hone].
Light filled him, and heat that should have burned yet only warmed as if it took the chill of the grave from his bones.
The [suto rando] thickened.
The strand thickened.
I have to get away!
I have to get away!
“No!”
“No!”
Aginor shouted.
Aginor shouted.
“You shall not have it!
“You shall not have it!
It is mine!”
It is mine!”
Rand did not [ugokasu], and neither did the Forsaken, yet they fought as surely as [baai] they grappled in the [hokori].
Rand did not move, and neither did the Forsaken, yet they fought as surely as if they grappled in the dust.
[ase] beaded on Aginor’s [kao], no longer withered, no longer old, that of a strong [otoko] in his prime.
Sweat beaded on Aginor’s face, no longer withered, no longer old, that of a strong man in his prime.
Rand pulsed with the beating in the [kōdo], like the heartbeat of the [sekai].
Rand pulsed with the beating in the cord, like the heartbeat of the world.
It filled his [kōfuku].
It filled his being.
[hikari] filled his [kokoro], till only a [kōnā] was left for what was himself.
Light filled his mind, till only a corner was left for what was himself.
He wrapped the void around that [nūku]; sheltered in [kūkyo].
He wrapped the void around that nook; sheltered in emptiness.
“Away!
“Away!
mine!”
Mine!”
Aginor [saken da].
Aginor cried.
“mine!”
“Mine!”
[atataka] built in Rand, the [atataka] of the [nichi], the [kagayaki] of the [nichi], bursting, the awful [kagayaki] of [hikari], of the [hikari].
Warmth built in Rand, the warmth of the sun, the radiance of the sun, bursting, the awful radiance of light, of the Light.
Away!
Away!
“mine!”
“Mine!”
[honoo] [shotto] from Aginor’s [kuchi no naka], broke through his [me] like [yari] of [kasai], and he screamed.
Flame shot from Aginor’s mouth, broke through his eyes like spears of fire, and he screamed.
Away!
Away!
