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The road was busier than it was usually Rand found as he walked. People were rushing past him going in the opposite direction. Rand didn't care what they were running from at this point. He wanted to get as far away from people as he could. He was dangerous and out of control something he had proved in Cairhien. If he stayed around people he would lose control and people would die. His only regret was not saying goodbye to Selene. She had been his only friend while he was in Cairhien.
The scent of wood smoke chased Rand to look up in surprise. There was a village not much larger than the Two Rivers ahead. He could smell the smoke and meat cooking. It made his stomach rumble in hunger. Weeks had passed since he last stopped in a town or village. He hadn't wanted to risk it.
Now though? He knew he was running low on supplies. If he didn't stop here he ran the risk of starving out in the wilds. His traps didn't always give him a meal. The last few nights he had gone to bed hungry. Maybe he could risk it. If only for a meal. Exhaustion made it difficult for him to hunt other than setting basic snares.
Without meaning to Rand's feet began to take him towards the town. The closer he got the stronger the smell of meat became. His mouth began to water at her thought of getting some food into his aching stomach. At the edge of town however there was a group of men standing watching those who entered and left with wary eyes. They carried swords and were wearing armor that he had never seen before. It was almost enough for Rand to turn around and head back. He knew he couldn't however it would bring more suspicion down upon him. So he continued without breaking his gait and kept his eyes lowered. The more meek he looked the less likely he was to be bothered.
He was almost abreast with the men when one stopped him, "Halt there traveler. What is your business here?"
With a voice hoarse from lack of use Rand answered, "I'm just passing through. I just need a place to refill my supplies and rest for the night. Then I will be on my way I promise."
The guard gave him a suspicious look before he asked, "Have you sworn the oaths?"
Rand looked up sharply and asked, "Oaths?"
The guards stepped closer to him causing the hackles on the back of his neck to rise. Something wasn't right here. Nowhere had he visited before required oaths just to buy supplies. What in the name of the Light?
Rand felt the One Power rising in him reacting to his unsettledness. Immediately Rand tried to push it down only for it to come back fiercer than ever. It wanted free. It wanted to be used against those in front of him.
The men came close and he tried to warn them away. However the words caught in his throat and he struggled to draw the One Power back in himself. He had to get away before he killed everyone here. Exhaustion began to leak into him and only grew worse with each passing moment of using the power. Would it hurt to pass out here? Just lie down and not wake up again?
He took a step back wild grey blue eyes searching for an escape. Only for his eyes to catch a familiar man walking slowly towards them. The uncertain feeling that had been building turned into absolute fear.
Ishamael the Forsaken he had been avoiding for months. Was this an elaborate trap to ensnare him? How had Ishamael known he would be here when Rand didn't know it himself?
The One Power swirled more fiercely around him in time with his emotions. No longer did Rand have any control over it. He was losing himself to his fear.
"Enough Lews Therin," came the dark voice of Ishamael as he was suddenly much closer than before, "There is no need for such theatrics now."
"Get away from me," growled Rand with as much force behind his words as he could muster.
Ishamael was only a few feet in front of him now. They hadn't been so close to each other since the Eye of the World. Rand could practically feel his body heat from where he stood.
Ishamael turned his head to the side curiously as he said, "At least you didn't draw that blade of yours this time. Calm down Lews Therin. No one will hurt you here. How about we go have a chat?"
Rand shook his head feverently. A quick check around himself found that more soldiers had arrived. They had formed a loose semicircle around him. No one had drawn their blades yet but he still felt trapped. Caged.
The One Power reacted accordingly. Weaves began to form in erratic movements not entirely sure what they were meant to be. Rand wasn't even sure he wanted to release them upon the soldiers. They were just doing their jobs and he was an intruder. At the same time he couldn't just let Ishamael have him.
Rand swayed lightly on his feet and for a moment his vision blurred. It was taking everything he had to remain standing. He was so tired.
"So sloppy Lews Therin," tisked Ishamael like he was scolding a child, "I know you don't intend on hurting anyone here. Let's put away the One Power for a moment."
That was sounding more sensible by the second. His mind felt so fogged. He could drop at any second now. Why was he fighting so hard? All of his friends thought he was dead after all.
Tightly woven weaves without a weakness within them lashed out at his. Rand's weaves were broken apart and he was thrown back. Rand his the ground with a pained groan and did not get back up. He was so tired. If Ishamael wanted to kill him at this point Rand would let him.
Footsteps sounded lightly on the grass as Ishamael approached. He only stopped when he stood to the left of Rand's head. He bent down to a knee and placed a hand under Rand's chin. The youth was made to look into the dark eyes. They searched his face for a long moment before his other hand was placed on Rand's forehead. A gentle command of sleep resounded through his mind and he didn't have the energy to fight it.