The Eye of the World_8 Flashcards
Besides, he was reluctant to tell even the [shichō] what was going on—what Moiraine said was going on.
Besides, he was reluctant to tell even the Mayor what was going on—what Moiraine said was going on.
He was not sure [baai] he was more afraid of [kōfuku] laughed at or [kōfuku] believed.
He was not sure if he was more afraid of being laughed at or being believed.
He rubbed a [oyayubi] against the [moyō] of Tam’s [ken].
He rubbed a thumb against the hilt of Tam’s sword.
His [chichioya] had been out into the [sekai]; he must know more about Aes Sedai than the [shichō] did.
His father had been out into the world; he must know more about Aes Sedai than the Mayor did.
[shikashi] [baai] Tam really had been out of the Two [kawa], then maybe what he had said in the Westwood…
But if Tam really had been out of the Two Rivers, then maybe what he had said in the Westwood…
He scrubbed both [te] through his [kami], scattering that [rain] of [shikō].
He scrubbed both hands through his hair, scattering that line of thought.
“You must [suimin], [wakamono],”
“You need sleep, lad,”
the [shichō] said.
the Mayor said.
“Yes, you do,”
“Yes, you do,”
[shufu] al’Vere added.
Mistress al’Vere added.
“You’re almost falling down where you stand.”
“You’re almost falling down where you stand.”
Rand blinked at her in [odoroki].
Rand blinked at her in surprise.
He had not even realized she had left his [chichioya].
He had not even realized she had left his father.
He did must [suimin]; just the [shikō] set off a [akubi].
He did need sleep; just the thought set off a yawn.
“You can take the [shindai] in the next [heya],”
“You can take the bed in the next room,”
the [shichō] said.
the Mayor said.
“There’s already a [kasai] laid.”
“There’s already a fire laid.”
Rand looked at his [chichioya]; Tam was still [fukai] in [suimin], and that made him [akubi] again.
Rand looked at his father; Tam was still deep in sleep, and that made him yawn again.
“I’d rather [taizai] in here, [baai] you don’t [kokoro].
“I’d rather stay in here, if you don’t mind.
For when he wakes up.”
For when he wakes up.”
[byōshitsu] [jikō] were in [shufu] al’Vere’s [ken], and the [shichō] left it to her.
Sickroom matters were in Mistress al’Vere’s province, and the Mayor left it to her.
She hesitated only a [shunkan] before nodding.
She hesitated only a moment before nodding.
“[shikashi] you let him [mōningu] on his own.
“But you let him wake on his own.
[baai] you bother his [suimin]…“
If you bother his sleep…”
He tried to say he would do as she ordered, [shikashi] the [kotoba] got tangled in yet another [akubi].
He tried to say he would do as she ordered, but the words got tangled in yet another yawn.
She shook her [atama] with a [egao].
She shook her head with a smile.
“You will be asleep yourself in no [jikan] at all.
“You will be asleep yourself in no time at all.
[baai] you must [taizai], curl up next to the [kasai].
If you must stay, curl up next to the fire.
And [dorinku] a little of that [gyūniku] [sūpu] before you [inemuri] off.”
And drink a little of that beef broth before you doze off.”
“I will,”
“I will,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
He would have agreed to anything that kept him in that [heya].
He would have agreed to anything that kept him in that room.
“And I won’t [mōningu] him.”
“And I won’t wake him.”
“See that you do not,”
“See that you do not,”
[shufu] al’Vere told him firmly, [shikashi] not in an unkindly [michi].
Mistress al’Vere told him firmly, but not in an unkindly way.
“I’ll bring you up a [makura] and some [mōfu].”
“I’ll bring you up a pillow and some blankets.”
When the [tobira] finally closed behind them, Rand dragged the lone [isu] in the [heya] over beside the [shindai] and sat down where he could [udedokei] Tam.
When the door finally closed behind them, Rand dragged the lone chair in the room over beside the bed and sat down where he could watch Tam.
It was all [hijō ni] [yoku] for [shufu] al’Vere to [hanashi] about [suimin]—his [ago] cracked as he stifled a [akubi] – [shikashi] he could not [suimin] yet.
It was all very well for Mistress al’Vere to talk about sleep—his jaws cracked as he stifled a yawn – but he could not sleep yet.
Tam might [mōningu] at any [jikan], and maybe only [taizai] awake a short [dōjini, tsutsu, issun].
Tam might wake at any time, and maybe only stay awake a short while.
Rand had to be waiting when he did.
Rand had to be waiting when he did.
He grimaced and twisted in the [isu], absently shifting the [ken] [moyō] out of his [ribu].
He grimaced and twisted in the chair, absently shifting the sword hilt out of his ribs.
He still [kanjita] backward about [uranai] anyone what Moiraine had said, [shikashi] this was Tam, after all.
He still felt backward about telling anyone what Moiraine had said, but this was Tam, after all.
This was…
This was…
Without realizing it he set his [ago] determinedly.
Without realizing it he set his jaw determinedly.
My [chichioya].
My father.
I can tell my [chichioya] anything.
I can tell my father anything.
He twisted a little more in the [isu] and put his [atama] against the [isu] back.
He twisted a little more in the chair and put his head against the chair back.
Tam was his [chichioya], and nobody could tell him what to say or not say to his [chichioya].
Tam was his father, and nobody could tell him what to say or not say to his father.
He just had to [taizai] awake until Tam woke up.
He just had to stay awake until Tam woke up.
He just had to…
He just had to …
[akira] 9
Chapter 9
Tellings of the [hoīru]
Tellings of the Wheel
Rand’s [kokoro] pounded as he hashitta, and he stared in [rōbai] at the barren [oka] [shūi] him.
Rand’s heart pounded as he ran, and he stared in dismay at the barren hills surrounding him.
This was not just a [basho] where [haru, haneagaru] was late in coming; [haru, haneagaru] had never come here, and never would come.
This was not just a place where spring was late in coming; spring had never come here, and never would come.
Nothing grew in the [samui] [dojō] that crunched under his [būtsu], not so much as a [sukoshi] of [chii rui].
Nothing grew in the cold soil that crunched under his boots, not so much as a bit of lichen.
He scrambled past [iwa], twice as tall as he was; [hokori] coated the [ishi] as [baai] never a [otosu, shizuku] of [ame] had touched it.
He scrambled past boulders, twice as tall as he was; dust coated the stone as if never a drop of rain had touched it.
The [nichi] was a swollen, [chi] [akai] [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl], more fiery than on the hottest [ichi nichi] of [natsu] and bright enough to [yakekoge] his [me], [shikashi] it stood stark against a leaden [ōkama] of a [sora] where [kumo] of sharp [kuro] and [gin] roiled and boiled on every [chiheisen].
The sun was a swollen, blood red ball, more fiery than on the hottest day of summer and bright enough to sear his eyes, but it stood stark against a leaden cauldron of a sky where clouds of sharp black and silver roiled and boiled on every horizon.
For all the swirling [kumo], though, no [iki] of [soyokaze] stirred across the [tochi], and despite the sullen [nichi] the [kūki] burned [samui] like the [fukasa] of [fuyu].
For all the swirling clouds, though, no breath of breeze stirred across the land, and despite the sullen sun the air burned cold like the depths of winter.
Rand looked over his [kata] often as he hashitta, [shikashi] he could not see his [otte].
Rand looked over his shoulder often as he ran, but he could not see his pursuers.
Only desolate [oka] and jagged [kuro] [yama], many topped by tall [purūmu] of [kurai] [kemuri] rising to [sanka shimasu] the milling [kumo].
Only desolate hills and jagged black mountains, many topped by tall plumes of dark smoke rising to join the milling clouds.
[baai] he could not see his [hantā], though, he could hear them, howling behind him, guttural [koe] shouting with the [gurī] of the [cheisu], howling with the [yorokobi] of [chi] to come.
If he could not see his hunters, though, he could hear them, howling behind him, guttural voices shouting with the glee of the chase, howling with the joy of blood to come.
Trollocs.
Trollocs.
Coming closer, and his [tsuyosa] was almost gone.
Coming closer, and his strength was almost gone.
With desperate [sokkō] he scrambled to the [chōten] of a [naifu] edged [one], then dropped to his [hiza] with a [umekigoe].
With desperate haste he scrambled to the top of a knife edged ridge, then dropped to his knees with a groan.
Below him a sheer [iwa] [kabe] fell away, a [sen ashi] [gake] [kyūraku] into a vast [kyōkoku].
Below him a sheer rock wall fell away, a thousand-foot cliff plummeting into a vast canyon.
Steamy [misuto] covered the [kyōkoku] [yuka], their thick [gurē] [hyōmen] rolling in grim [nami], rolling and breaking against the [gake] beneath him, [shikashi] more slowly than any [ōshan] [nami] had ever moved.
Steamy mists covered the Canyon floor, their thick gray surface rolling in grim waves, rolling and breaking against the cliff beneath him, but more slowly than any ocean wave had ever moved.
[pacchi] of [kiri] glowed [akai] for an instant as [baai] great fires had suddenly flared beneath, then died.
Patches of fog glowed red for an instant as if great fires had suddenly flared beneath, then died.
[kaminari] rumbled in the [fukasa] of the [barē], and [keiryō-ka] crackled through the [gurē], sometimes striking up at the [sora].
Thunder rumbled in the depths of the valley, and lightning crackled through the gray, sometimes striking up at the sky.
It was not the [barē] itself that sapped his [tsuyosa] and filled the empty [supēsu] left with [muryoku].
It was not the valley itself that sapped his strength and filled the empty spaces left with helplessness.
From the [sentā] of the furious [jōki] a [yama] [suiryoku] upward, a [yama] taller than any he had ever seen in the [yama] of [misuto], a [yama] as [kuro] as the [sonshitsu] of all [kibō].
From the center of the furious vapors a mountain thrust upward, a mountain taller than any he had ever seen in the Mountains of Mist, a mountain as black as the loss of all hope.
That bleak [ishi] [sentō], a [dagā] stabbing at the [ten], was the [sōsu] of his [kōhai].
That bleak stone spire, a dagger stabbing at the heavens, was the source of his desolation.
He had never seen it before, [shikashi] he knew it.
He had never seen it before, but he knew it.
The [memori] of it flashed away like [kuikku shirubā] when he tried to [tacchi] it, [shikashi] the [memori] was there.
The memory of it flashed away like quicksilver when he tried to touch it, but the memory was there.
He knew it was there.
He knew it was there.
Unseen [yubi] touched him, pulled at his [ude] and [ashi], trying to [dorō] him to the [yama].
Unseen fingers touched him, pulled at his arms and legs, trying to draw him to the mountain.
His [bodi] twitched, ready to obey.
His body twitched, ready to obey.
His [ude] and [ashi] stiffened, as [baai] he [shikō] he could dig his [yubi] and [tsumasaki] into the [ishi].
His arms and legs stiffened, as if he thought he could dig his fingers and toes into the stone.
Ghostly [moji retsu] entwined around his [kokoro], pulling him, calling him to the [sentō] [yama].
Ghostly strings entwined around his heart, pulling him, calling him to the spire mountain.
[namida] hashitta down his [kao], and he sagged to the [gurando].
Tears ran down his face, and he sagged to the ground.
He [kanjita] his will draining away like [mizu] out of a holed [baketsu].
He felt his will draining away like water out of a holed bucket.
Just a little longer, and he would go where he was called.
Just a little longer, and he would go where he was called.
He would obey, do as he was told.
He would obey, do as he was told.
Abruptly he discovered another [kanjō]: [ikari].
Abruptly he discovered another emotion: anger.
[pusshu] him, [puru] him, he was not a [hitsuji] to be prodded into a [pen].
Push him, pull him, he was not a sheep to be prodded into a pen.
The [ikari] squeezed itself into one hard [musubime], and he clung to it as he would have clung to a [ikada] in a [kōzui].
The anger squeezed itself into one hard knot, and he clung to it as he would have clung to a raft in a flood.
Serve me, a [koe] whispered in the [shizukesa] of his [kokoro].
Serve me, a voice whispered in the stillness of his mind.
A familiar [koe].
A familiar voice.
[baai] he listened hard enough he was sure he would know it.
If he listened hard enough he was sure he would know it.
Serve me.
Serve me.
He shook his [atama] to try to get it out of his [atama].
He shook his head to try to get it out of his head.
Serve me!
Serve me!
He shook his [kobushi] at the [kuro] [yama].
He shook his fist at the black mountain.
“The [hikari] consume you, Shai’[hiyake]!”
“The Light consume you, Shai’tan!”
Abruptly the [nioi] of [shi] lay thick around him.
Abruptly the smell of death lay thick around him.
A [zu] loomed over him, in a [gaitō] the [iro] of dried [chi], a [zu] with a [kao]…
A figure loomed over him, in a cloak the color of dried blood, a figure with a face…
He did not want to see the [kao] that looked down at him.
He did not want to see the face that looked down at him.
He did not want to think of that [kao].
He did not want to think of that face.
It [kizutsuketa] to think of it, turned his [kokoro] to [nokoribi].
It hurt to think of it, turned his mind to embers.
A [te] reached toward him.
A hand reached toward him.
Not caring [baai] he fell over the [hashi], he threw himself away.
Not caring if he fell over the edge, he threw himself away.
He had to get away.
He had to get away.
Far away.
Far away.
He fell, flailing at the [kūki], wanting to [himei], finding no [iki] for screaming, no [iki] at all.
He fell, flailing at the air, wanting to scream, finding no breath for screaming, no breath at all.
Abruptly he was no longer in the barren [tochi], no longer falling.
Abruptly he was no longer in the barren land, no longer falling.
[fuyu]-[chairo] [kusa] flattened under his [būtsu]; it seemed like [hana].
Winter-brown grass flattened under his boots; it seemed like flowers.
He almost laughed to see scattered [kigi] and [busshu], leafless as they were, dotting the gently rolling [heiya] that now surrounded him.
He almost laughed to see scattered trees and bushes, leafless as they were, dotting the gently rolling plain that now surrounded him.
In the [kyori] reared a [shinguru] [yama], its [chōten] broken and split, [shikashi] this [yama] brought no [kyōfu] or [zetsubō].
In the distance reared a single mountain, its peak broken and split, but this mountain brought no fear or despair.
It was just a [yama], though oddly out of [basho] there, with no [sonota] in [kōkei].
It was just a mountain, though oddly out of place there, with no other in sight.
A broad [kawa] flowed by the [yama], and on an [shima] in the [mannaka] of that [kawa] was a [toshi] such as might live in a [ginyūshijin]’s [monogatari], a [toshi] surrounded by high [kabe] gleaming [shiroi] and [gin] beneath the [atatakai] [nichi].
A broad river flowed by the mountain, and on an island in the middle of that river was a city such as might live in a gleeman’s tale, a city surrounded by high walls gleaming white and silver beneath the warm sun.
With mingled [ando] and [yorokobi] he started for the [kabe], for the [anzen] and [shizukesa] he somehow knew he would find behind them.
With mingled relief and joy he started for the walls, for the safety and serenity he somehow knew he would find behind them.
As he came closer he made out soaring [tō], many joined by wondrous walkways that spanned the [ōpun] [kūki].
As he came closer he made out soaring towers, many joined by wondrous walkways that spanned the open air.
High [hashi] arched from both [ginkō] of the [kawa] to the [shima] [toshi].
High bridges arched from both banks of the river to the island city.
Even at a [kyori] he could see [reishī] [sekizō butsu] on those [supan], seemingly too delicate to withstand the swift [kaiiki] that rushed beneath them.
Even at a distance he could see lacy stonework on those spans, seemingly too delicate to withstand the swift waters that rushed beneath them.
Beyond those [hashi] lay [anzen].
Beyond those bridges lay safety.
[seiiki].
Sanctuary.
Of a sudden a [samusa] hashitta along his [hone]; an icy clamminess settled on his [hada], and the [kūki] around him turned fetid and dank.
Of a sudden a chill ran along his bones; an icy clamminess settled on his skin, and the air around him turned fetid and dank.
Without looking back he hashitta, hashitta from the [tsuisekisha] whose freezing [yubi] brushed his [senaka] and tugged at his [gaitō], hashitta from the [hikari]-eating [zu] with the [kao] that…
Without looking back he ran, ran from the pursuer whose freezing fingers brushed his back and tugged at his cloak, ran from the light-eating figure with the face that…
He could not remember the [kao], except as [kyōfu].
He could not remember the face, except as terror.
He did not want to remember the [kao].
He did not want to remember the face.
He hashitta, and the [gurando] passed beneath his [ashi], rolling [oka] and [furatto] [heiya]…
He ran, and the ground passed beneath his feet, rolling hills and flat plain…
and he wanted to [hauru] like a [inu] gone mad.
and he wanted to howl like a dog gone mad.
The [toshi] was receding before him.
The city was receding before him.
The harder he hashitta, the further away drifted the [shiroi] shining [kabe] and [hinan sho].
The harder he ran, the further away drifted the white shining walls and haven.
They grew smaller, and smaller, until only a pale [hanten] remained on the [chiheisen].
They grew smaller, and smaller, until only a pale speck remained on the horizon.
The [samui] [te] of his [tsuisekisha] clutched at his [eri].
The cold hand of his pursuer clutched at his collar.
[baai] those [yubi] touched him he knew he would go mad.
If those fingers touched him he knew he would go mad.
Or worse.
Or worse.
Much worse.
Much worse.
Even as that [hoshō] came to him he tripped and fell…
Even as that surety came to him he tripped and fell …
“Noooo!”
“Noooo!”
he screamed…
he screamed…
and grunted as paving [ishi] smacked the [iki] out of him.
and grunted as paving stones smacked the breath out of him.
Wonderingly he got to his [ashi].
Wonderingly he got to his feet.
He stood on the approaches to one of the marvellous [hashi] he had seen rearing over the [kawa].
He stood on the approaches to one of the marvellous bridges he had seen rearing over the river.
Smiling [hitobito] walked by on either [saido] of him, [hitobito] dressed in so many [iro] they made him think of a [ryōiki] of [yasei no hana].
Smiling people walked by on either side of him, people dressed in so many colors they made him think of a field of wildflowers.
Some of them spoke to him, [shikashi] he could not understand, though the [kotoba] sounded as [baai] he should.
Some of them spoke to him, but he could not understand, though the words sounded as if he should.
[shikashi] the [kao] were friendly, and the [hitobito] gestured him onward, over the [hashi] with its intricate [sekizō butsu], onward toward the shining, [gin]-streaked [kabe] and the [tō] beyond.
But the faces were friendly, and the people gestured him onward, over the bridge with its intricate stonework, onward toward the shining, silver-streaked walls and the towers beyond.
Toward the [anzen] he knew waited there.
Toward the safety he knew waited there.
He joined the [gunshū] streaming across the [hashi] and into the [toshi] through massive [mon] set in tall, pristine [kabe].
He joined the throng streaming across the bridge and into the city through massive gates set in tall, pristine walls.
Within was a [wandārando] where the meanest [kōzō] seemed a [kyūden].
Within was a wonderland where the meanest structure seemed a palace.
It was as though the [birudā] had been told to take [ishi] and [renga] and [tairu] and create [utsukushisa] to take the [iki] of [shisu] [dansei].
It was as though the builders had been told to take stone and brick and tile and create beauty to take the breath of mortal men.
There was no [tatemono], no [ishibumi] that did not make him [gyōshi] with goggling [me].
There was no building, no monument that did not make him stare with goggling eyes.
[ongaku] drifted down the [machi], a hundred different [kyoku], [shikashi] all blending with the [sakebi] of the [gunshū] to make one grand, joyous [hāmonī].
Music drifted down the streets, a hundred different songs, but all blending with the clamor of the crowds to make one grand, joyous harmony.
The [kaori] of [amai] [kōsui] and sharp [supaisu], of wondrous [shokuhin] and [musū] [hana], all floated in the [kūki], as [baai] every [yoi] [nioi] in the [sekai] were gathered there.
The scents of sweet perfumes and sharp spices, of wondrous foods and myriad flowers, all floated in the air, as if every good smell in the world were gathered there.
The [sutorīto] by which he entered the [toshi], broad and paved with smooth, [gurē] [ishi], stretched straight before him toward the [sentā] of the [toshi].
The street by which he entered the city, broad and paved with smooth, gray stone, stretched straight before him toward the center of the city.
At its [owari] loomed a [tawā] larger and taller than any [sonota] in the [toshi], a [tawā] as [shiroi] as fresh-fallen [yuki].
At its end loomed a tower larger and taller than any other in the city, a tower as white as fresh-fallen snow.
That [tawā] was where [anzen] lay, and the [chishiki] he sought.
That tower was where safety lay, and the knowledge he sought.
[shikashi] the [toshi] was such as he had never dreamed of [mite].
But the city was such as he had never dreamed of seeing.
Surely it would not [mondai] [baai] he delayed just a short [jikan] in going to the [tawā]?
Surely it would not matter if he delayed just a short time in going to the tower?
He turned aside onto a narrower [sutorīto], where [jagurā] strolled among hawkers of strange [kudamono].
He turned aside onto a narrower street, where jugglers strolled among hawkers of strange fruits.
Ahead of him down the [sutorīto] was a [yuki]-[shiroi] [tawā].
Ahead of him down the street was a snow-white tower.
The same [tawā].
The same tower.
In just a little [dōjini, tsutsu, issun], he [shikō], and rounded another [kōnā].
In just a little while, he thought, and rounded another corner.
At the far [owari] of this [sutorīto], too, lay the [shiroi] [tawā].
At the far end of this street, too, lay the white tower.
Stubbornly he turned another [kōnā], and another, and each [jikan] the [arabasutā] [tawā] met his [me].
Stubbornly he turned another corner, and another, and each time the alabaster tower met his eyes.
He spun to [jikkō] away from it…
He spun to run away from it…
and skidded to a [teishi].
and skidded to a halt.
Before him, the [shiroi] [tawā].
Before him, the white tower.
He was afraid to [hyōjō] over his [kata], afraid it would be there, too.
He was afraid to look over his shoulder, afraid it would be there, too.
The [kao] around him were still friendly, [shikashi] shattered [kibō] filled them now, [kibō] he had broken.
The faces around him were still friendly, but shattered hope filled them now, hope he had broken.
Still the [hitobito] gestured him forward, pleading [jesuchā].
Still the people gestured him forward, pleading gestures.
Toward the [tawā].
Toward the tower.
Their [me] shone with desperate must, and only he could fulfill it, only he could [hozon shimasu] them.
Their eyes shone with desperate need, and only he could fulfill it, only he could save them.
[hijō ni] [yoku], he [shikō].
Very well, he thought.
The [tawā] was, after all, where he wanted to go.
The tower was, after all, where he wanted to go.
Even as he took his [saisho] [suteppu] forward [shitsubō] faded from those about him, and [egao] wreathed every [kao].
Even as he took his first step forward disappointment faded from those about him, and smiles wreathed every face.
They moved with him, and small [kodomo tachi] strewed his [michisuji] with [hana] [hanabira].
They moved with him, and small children strewed his path with flower petals.
He looked over his [kata] in [konran], wondering who the [hana] were meant for, [shikashi] behind him were only more smiling [hitobito] gesturing him on.
He looked over his shoulder in confusion, wondering who the flowers were meant for, but behind him were only more smiling people gesturing him on.
They must be for me, he [shikō], and wondered why that suddenly did not seem strange at all.
They must be for me, he thought, and wondered why that suddenly did not seem strange at all.
[shikashi] [odoroki] lasted only a [shunkan] before melting away; all was as it should be.
But wonderment lasted only a moment before melting away; all was as it should be.
[saisho] one, then another of the [hitobito] began to [utau], until every [koe] was lifted in a glorious [kokka].
First one, then another of the people began to sing, until every voice was lifted in a glorious anthem.
He still could not understand the [kotoba], [shikashi] a dozen interweaving [hāmonī], shouted [yorokobi] and [sukui].
He still could not understand the words, but a dozen interweaving harmonies, shouted joy and salvation.
[myūjishan] capered through the on-flowing [gunshū], adding flutes and [hāpu] and [doramu] in a dozen [saizu] to the [sanbi-ka], and all the [kyoku] he had heard before blended in without [shīmu].
Musicians capered through the on-flowing crowd, adding flutes and harps and drums in a dozen sizes to the hymn, and all the songs he had heard before blended in without seam.
[onnanoko] danced around him, laying [hanawa] of [amai]-smelling [hana] across his [kata], twining them about his [kubi].
Girls danced around him, laying garlands of sweet-smelling blossoms across his shoulders, twining them about his neck.
They smiled at him, their [yorokobi] growing with every [suteppu] he took.
They smiled at him, their delight growing with every step he took.
He could not [tasukeru] [shikashi] [egao] back.
He could not help but smile back.
His [ashi] itched to [sanka shimasu] in their [dansu], and even as he [shikō] of it he was dancing, his [suteppu] fitting as [baai] he had known it all from [tanjō].
His feet itched to join in their dance, and even as he thought of it he was dancing, his steps fitting as if he had known it all from birth.
He threw back his [atama] and laughed; his [ashi] were lighter than they had ever been, dancing with…
He threw back his head and laughed; his feet were lighter than they had ever been, dancing with…
He could not remember the [namae], [shikashi] it did not seem important.
He could not remember the name, but it did not seem important.
It is your [unmei], a [koe] whispered in his [atama], and the [sasayaku] was a [sureddo] in the paean.
It is your destiny, a voice whispered in his head, and the whisper was a thread in the paean.
Carrying him like a [shō eda] on the crest of a [nami], the [gunshū] flowed into a huge [seihōkei] in the [mannaka] of the [toshi], and for the [saisho] [jikan] he [mimashita] that the [shiroi] [tawā] [jōshō shita] from a great [kyūden] of pale [dairiseki], sculpted rather than built, curving [kabe] and swelling domes and delicate [sentō] fingering the [sora].
Carrying him like a twig on the crest of a wave, the crowd flowed into a huge square in the middle of the city, and for the first time he saw that the white tower rose from a great palace of pale marble, sculpted rather than built, curving walls and swelling domes and delicate spires fingering the sky.
The whole of it made him gasp in awe.
The whole of it made him gasp in awe.
Broad [kaidan] of pristine [ishi] led up from the [seihōkei], and at the [ashi] of those [kaidan] the [hitobito] halted, [shikashi] their [uta] [jōshō shita] ever higher.
Broad stairs of pristine stone led up from the square, and at the foot of those stairs the people halted, but their song rose ever higher.
The swelling [koe] buoyed his [ashi].
The swelling voices buoyed his feet.
Your [unmei], the [koe] whispered, insistent now, eager.
Your destiny, the voice whispered, insistent now, eager.
He no longer danced, [shikashi] neither did he [teishi].
He no longer danced, but neither did he stop.
He mounted the [kaidan] without [tamerai].
He mounted the stairs without hesitation.
This was where he belonged.
This was where he belonged.
[uzumaki] covered the massive [tobira] at the [chōten] of the [kaidan], [chōkoku] so intricate and delicate that he could not imagine a [naifu] [ha] [bakkin] enough to fit.
Scrollwork covered the massive doors at the top of the stairs, carvings so intricate and delicate that he could not imagine a knife blade fine enough to fit.
The [pōtaru] swung [ōpun], and he went in.
The portals swung open, and he went in.
They closed behind him with an echoing [kurasshu] like [kaminari].
They closed behind him with an echoing crash like thunder.
“We have been waiting for you,”
“We have been waiting for you,”
the Myrddraal hissed.
the Myrddraal hissed.
Rand sat [boruto] [chokuritsu], gasping for [iki] and shivering, staring.
Rand sat bolt upright, gasping for breath and shivering, staring.
Tam was still asleep on the [shindai].
Tam was still asleep on the bed.
Slowly his breathing slowed.
Slowly his breathing slowed.
[hanbun]-consumed [roguin suru] blazed in the [danro] with a [yoi] [shindai] of [sekitan] built up around the [kasai] [aian]; [dare-ka] had been there to tend it [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] he slept.
Half-consumed logs blazed in the fireplace with a good bed of coals built up around the fire irons; someone had been there to tend it while he slept.
A [mōfu] lay at his [ashi], where it had fallen when he woke.
A blanket lay at his feet, where it had fallen when he woke.
The [maniawase] [gomi] was gone, too, and his and Tam’s [gaitō] had been hung by the [tobira].
The makeshift litter was gone, too, and his and Tam’s cloaks had been hung by the door.
He wiped [samui] [ase] from his [kao] with a [te] that was none too steady and wondered [baai] naming the [Kurai] One in a [yume] brought his [chūi] the same [michi] that naming him aloud did.
He wiped cold sweat from his face with a hand that was none too steady and wondered if naming the Dark One in a dream brought his attention the same way that naming him aloud did.
