Ewiene rode in through the North Gate with her men following. With a tired smile she listened to the gateguards announce their arrival and welcome them home. A few fast orders, and the badly wounded was brought to the Wisdoms to be cared for. As they came to a halt on the Central Square to water the horses, a few citizens and travelers gave them curious glances, before deciding to mind their own business. Realizing their bloodstained dirty cloaks, extra warhorses and packs brought some attention, she ordered the rest of her men to move on towards the Fortress of Light. She couldn’t help smirking slightly when the spectators swiftly stepped out of the way as the procession continued deeper into Amador. No matter what opinions these civilians voiced behind closed doors when their courage was boosted with ale, few dared cause open trouble in the city. True darkfriends usually hid elsewhere, spreading lies and discontent from afar. Her mind clouded with dark thoughts she rode on.
- “Fall in!”
A short order was enough to have the men form some resemblance of straight lines. They all looked worn by the fighting. ‘Another day of slaying the wind-eyed invaders’. She found it ironic that these witch-supported men were the descendants of the High King Arthur Hawkwing, the man who ruled every piece of land from the Spine to the Aryth Ocean, save the city of Tar Valon. Who saw Aes Sedai for what they were, and could have brought the Tower down. The Seanchan had apparently long since abandoned the beliefs of the High King. Rightfulness was not in sharing the blood but in sharing the faith of Hawkwing. As she walked down the line of men, she played with the thought of how the world would look had the Seanchan Imperial Army stayed true to the legacy of their ancestors. Another Army of men and women, willing to fight the Tower and bring the Creator’s justice through all lands, and over all borders… But things were as they were, and age had thought her dreaming was useless.
After she had inspected the ranks, she split the spoils of war equally between her men, replacing a weapon here, and some armor there. Content with the result, the Creator had been kind to them lately, she gave them orders to report all fallen Invaders to the Lord Captain Commander, before they were dismissed.
An hour later, dressed in a new shining cloak, she walked down the street towards the tavern to sit down with her Brothers and Sisters. Right outside the door a young boy, no more than 15, approached her. Blushing furiously he began stuttering his errand:
- “Pardon me, Ewien… eh, Child, Ma’am. Do you have a second?” He looked up at her with pleading eyes and his shoulders relaxing visibly when she nodded shortly.
- “I’d like to join the Children of Light, Ma’am!”
Smiling slightly, she asked him to follow her and went inside to introduce him to Child Kesumi and Child Lochaber. They gave the boy stern looks and began questioning him on skills and knowledge, while demonstrating how a proper salute should be looking. She caught Kesumi’s eyes and grinned. The boy before them was young, but so is everyone in the beginning, and the Light needed all willing men and women around these days. They had made Soldiers out of worse. She nodded at her Brothers before she left the boy in their care. It was time to build an Army.