"My honourable Sister, ladies and gentlemen of the floor. In this section of my debate, I will address the ideals, purpose and existence of the Dreadlords from a philosophical point of view - that is, from a point of view that is truly accesible to those of the White Ajah who dedicate their lives to the search for truth and higher philosophical meaning.

Honourable Sister, ladies and gentlemen, I believe that the key issue I need to raise here is one of balance. Let us for a moment contemplate the higher existence and fabric of our very universe: that is, the Pattern itself, and the Wheel of Time that weaves it. This may seem to you to be mere catechism, useless speculation and stories for children; in fact, I would argue that, especially considering the situation we currently appear to be seeing in the world - to whit, the Stone of Tear taken, the Dragon apparently reborn - it is a most contemporary issue.

The Pattern, the Wheel of Time, the very universe which we inhabit, is built entirely on balance. The primary examples of these that I could give would be Saidin and Saidar; Light and Dark. Many of the less enlightened idealists among the audience would, I am sure, like to think that the Pattern and the Wheel itself is a force for good, for the Light. However, as I am sure your White sisters could tell you, this is patently false. Balance is always necessary, and therefore, an accurate balance between Light and Dark.

In fact, I would argue that by attempting to eradicate Friends of the Dark - or, for that matter, male channelers; I will not touch on that point, because I do not wish to anger the Red sisters more than I already have - by attempting to remove Friends of the Dark from the world, and therefore make it a so-called better place, these so-called benefactors are, in fact, destabilising the very Wheel of Time itself. They are removing the balance that is necessary and essential to keep the Pattern working correctly; and therefore leading ultimately to the destruction of the world."

At the other side of the room, a White sister stands, her expression thoughtful but at the same time intense."Point of information," she calls out.

The Dreadlord nods. "Accepted."

The White sister speaks. "Surely, Master Kalien, you have contradicted yourself within your speech - and are by your own point betraying your own (rather questionable) beliefs."

At his curiously raised eyebrow, the sister continues. "If I have been following correctly, your argument is that to remove the agents of the Shadow from the world would remove part of the Pattern in such a way as to destabilise it. Yes? But surely, since you speak so much of balance, the reverse would be true also; to entirely remove the forces of the Light from the world would be to destroy the Wheel of Time and the balance of the universe, in the same way that - as you claim - removing those of the Shadow would. However, surely the mission of the Shadow is exactly that?-- to gain victory over the Light, and by becoming victorious, eradicate those who follow the Light from the world."

Ahira looks thoughtful for a few moments, and then replies to the point of information. "Ah, my honourable sister, I believe you have misunderstood my point, if not my entire purpose. And have also unfairly maligned my side of the war. You see, as the current situation stands, the Great Lord of the Dark - don't look at me like that; you may call Him what you will, and I will speak of Him in a manner which is suitable to me - is imprisoned in Shayol Ghul, and can only touch the world indirectly. This has, in fact, been the situation for the last three thousand years. Friends of the Dark are forced into secrecy, and hunted down and killed whenever they are revealed.

Does this seem like balance to you? Because it surely does not to me. In fact, I would argue that rather than striving to eradicate the forces of the Light from the world, we are merely trying to restore a balance that is sorely needed in this world - and that is missing. In fact, you could view us as closer to saviours than to destroyers - without our best efforts to survive and increase our numbers over the last three millenia, there is no telling what disastrous state the Wheel and the Pattern might be in. So no, honourable sister, we are not working to destroy the forces of the Light; merely to free the Great Lord of the Dark from his prison, and put ourselves on an equal footing with those who follow the Light; to restore the balance to the world, and to keep the Wheel of Time turning as it should." (Evading the question? Who, me?)

In Defense of the Dreadlords

Raina's Hold / Raina's Library / Raina's Library - Other People's Humour