Gangorn awoke with a throbbing in his head. What happened he asked himself. Opening his eyes with an effort. Gangorn rose from his bed and thought back to the previous night. He had taken Caba for a ride and was caught in a furious storm, that had come out of nowhere. The next thing he remembered was being tackled by Garia. He dressed in his clothes, that he RECOVERED yesterday and looked for his sword. He found it next to the door, but the scabbard was covered in mud. Looking at it thoughtfully he began to clean it when he heard a knock at the door.
Gangorn called out, "Enter". The same page who had summoned him to the Amyrlin's study the other day was there.
"The Amyrlin sent me find out how you were feeling."
"Tell her I am doing fine, but I do not know what happened to me." he had a sudden urge to assure the Amyrlin of his well-being. "Tell her I would like an audience with her, sometime this afternoon." The page stood shocked for a moment, because no one would ever send a message to the Amyrlin seat with the words "sometime this afternoon." People begged for 5 minutes with the Mother and here this man says that. Gangorn sensed the page's hesitation and told him, "Go, I am the Armsmaster. I do not think she will be offended by what I said. If she is, well that will be my problem. Now go."
Gangorn left his quarters shortly after the page left and headed for the practice field. When he reached the training area he noticed Garia inspecting a bow. That gave him and idea for tomorrows weapons training. He said aloud, "Do you know how to use one?"
Garia answered, "Yes a little, but I would much rather use the spear." After she told him what had happened the night before. A drakhar! After him for some reason. Gangorn had much to think of before going to see the Amyrlin. Gangorn walked around the Tower lost in thought. Eventually he found his way to a small garden. Entering Gangorn saw that it looked like it wasn't visited much.
Later that afternoon Gangorn emerged from the garden with a determined look on his face. He strode purposefully to the Amyrlin's study. He knocked and waited for her permission to enter.Entering Gangorn saw that she was talking with the Keeper. He bowed to both of them and then asked, "Mother may I speak with you....in private please?"
The Keeper shot a look at him that was filled with shock at his audacity. She opened her mouth to berate him, but Chiya Sedai waved her off, "Leave us sister. I will speak to Gangorn Gaidin."
"Mother, I have been thinking about last night's incident. Garia told me what happened. I feel, it is my duty to resign as Master of Arms for the tower."
Shock briefly played across her face before being replaced by the cool serene calmness of most Aes Sedai. "Why? Explain this to me."
"The attack last night was an ordered. A drakhar would not come this close to the Tower, without a direct order. The attack was meant for me. Maybe the grey men too, but it may have been a seperate event. The next attack may be even more direct. I could not live with myself if an attack meant for me wewre to harm you....or any other Aes Sedai."
The Amyrlin sat thoughtfully for a moment and then she said...
Gangorn's look of determination did not waver, steely blue eyes meeting her clear blue feline gaze. Neither one was going to allow the matter to drop, but Chiya was reluctant to divulge the full extent of Garia's foretelling.
"Garia's words only strengthen my resolve then. The Dark One may have been foiled in this last attempt, but he will not stop there. I cannot allow my presence here to jeopardize any one else's life. If you will give me leave, I will name my successor to the position of Master of Arms and be on my way with the sun's rising." Relaxed, the man gave off the aura of a wolf on the prowl, alert and poised to attack. With his back ramrod straight, he now more than ever resembled a leader of the pack, expecting his decision to be unquestioned.
Sighing inwardly, Chiya knew that the only way to convince him to stay would be to reveal the whole of Garia's vision. This man's honor and fierce sense of duty would not allow him to leave. Rising from behind the desk, the Amyrlin adjusted the striped stole about her shoulders and faced him squarely. "You fear that your continued presence here will endanger us all, yet should you leave, you will hand this Tower and myself over to the Dark One. Garia's vision included us both, Gangorn Gaidin. She saw you as my protector, the one who would stand beside me in facing the Shadow. I would not force you to stay, but I ask that you carefully consider my words. Her strength in Foretelling is great...no one has had such a strong Talent for nearly two centuries. I have not risen to this position by ignoring such potent omens." Coming around the desk, she stood before him, her dignity draped over her, a more formal tone entering her voice...."Gangorn Atramion, last son of House Atramion, Gaidin
and Master of Arms of the White Tower, I ask you now if you will consider and accept to bond to me, Chiya Sithi, Amyrlin Seat..." Her elven features taking on the serene look of countless Aes Sedai before her, only her eyes betrayed any emotion. The clear blue eyes slowly took on the green tinge which envoloped them with the onset of strong emotion. Silently, she awaited his response.
Gangorn controlled the shock he felt inside his soul, sat thoughtfully considering..this decision. A decision which would affect his life, for all time. The attack was aimed at me...to get me out of the way. Can I leave? No. Leave ~looks up into Chiya Sedai's eyes~ her alone, to defend the world from the Shadow undefended.
Gangorn rose slowly. He looked at the Amyrlin, who was looking at him expectantly, waiting for his decision. Gangorn knelt before her, hand on his sword, "Mother, I Gangorn Atramion, swear on all my honor that I have watched over you as a warder, and that I will watch over you as your warder.
The image of the this proud man kneeling before her, swearing his fealty and offering his life to her brought a rush of memories crashing back to the Amyrlin's mind. How many years ago it had been. Another man, shorter of stature and darker in hair and complexion had knelt before the then simple Green Sister. He had been one of the few who had not been unsure of or disarmed by her alieness. The bonding had been her first, and in the naivety of youth she had though it would last forever. Experience and a Trollocs axe had proven her wrong. Many had looked at her askance once she'd been named Amyrlin. No Amyrlin had remained Warderless upon taking up the responsibility, but the wounds had been still too fresh, the pain of loss to deep. This is right Elfin...it is as it was meant to be. The Amyrlin's eyes widened in surprise as the thought slipped into her mind. Elfin...no one called her that anymore. The nickname given her by her now deceased Warder....Could it be? The last traces of indecision which had lain at the back of her mind were blown away, like autumn's leaves before a fresh breeze.
Closing her eyes, she smiled serenely, a whispered thank you borne away in her thoughts as she placed her hands, one to each side of the kneeling Gaidin's head. Embracing the Source, she wove a flow of Spirit, a simple weave, but one which would from this moment on connect them, two halves of one whole. "Gangorn Atramion, I bind you to me as my Warder, my companion, my protector. Together shall we stand in the Dark One's way, defending the Light against his coming." A small shiver coursed through him as the cool flows of Spirit washed over and through him, forging the bond which united them.
Gangorn felt the Amyrlin's hands touch his head and then his mind staggered. Gangorn was not prepared for the surge of emotions that rushed through the bond. As Chiya released Saidar, Gangorn managed to get to his feet without showing his unsurety, rising to his full height, towering over her. The feelings that were coming through the link ... pain and sorrow ... hope and a feeling of rightness ... so many things he felt. Before he could even begin to fathom these emotions he heard his Aes Sedai speak.
Through the new bond she could feel his awe at the sensations he was now aware of. "Now Master of Arms," she began, "my Gaidin, we both have many things which need attending to. If you have a moment, I would like to speak to you about Garia and her progress." Resuming her seat behind her desk, she rested her crossed arms before her as he began. Yes...this feels right. I wonder what the future has in store for us now.
"Garia had a fortelling last night. It is what saved your life and for that the Tower owes her a great deal. The Dark One does indeed want you dead Gangorn Gaidin, for reasons which make your presence here necessary. That she found out the plan in time to stop it was what the Dark One feared. Her Talent and your protection are key to this Tower's continued survival."
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