The Wheel of Kin: A Daughter's Journey

A Desperate Vigil

The tranquility of the Amyrlin's quarters shattered like glass as urgent knocking echoed through the chamber.

Siuan Sanche sat up instantly, reaching for her shawl. A breathless novice stammered at the threshold, "The Dreamwalker—Elara—she's unwell, my Lady. She won't wake."

For a single heartbeat, silence.

Then Siuan and Moiraine were on their feet, the serenity between them gone in an instant, replaced by raw panic and bone-deep dread.

"She was fine," Moiraine murmured, already rushing for the door. "She was fine!"

Their slippers slapped across the stone floors of the Tower halls as they ran, ignoring startled sisters and servants in their wake. Every corridor blurred. Every step was a knife.

They reached the Healing Chamber just as Lan rose from Elara's bedside, his jaw clenched, eyes rimmed red from a depth of emotion rarely shown.

"She won't wake," he said, voice hoarse. "They say she's trapped in the dream."

Elara lay on the cot, motionless, her skin pale and clammy. Her chest rose in shallow breaths. Her fingers twitched. Her brow was creased in pain.

Moiraine crossed to her immediately, falling to her knees beside the cot. "Oh, my heart..." she whispered, brushing the hair from her daughter's forehead. "Light, please..."

Siuan's face was stone, but her eyes betrayed the storm within.

She turned to the Yellow sister beside them. "Report."

The Healer, her ageless face drawn tight with concern, replied quietly, "It seems she is Dreamwalking... but the dream has become corrupted. Twisted. As if something is holding her there."

Moiraine's lips trembled. "I should have strengthened her wards. I should have watched for signs."

"No," Siuan said sharply, stepping behind her and placing both hands on her shoulders. "This is not your fault."

"But she's trapped because she reached for me. She saw my nightmare—my fear. She felt it and followed it in." Moiraine's voice cracked as she looked back at Siuan. "She's in this because of me."

Siuan knelt beside her. "Then we bring her out."

She rose with authority and turned to the gathering sisters. "Summon those most skilled in Tel'aran'rhiod. We form a circle. We do not stop until she is free."

The room moved into motion, but the world remained still for the three who stood vigil.

Lan remained at Elara's side, holding her hand tightly. "She's strong," he whispered. "Stronger than she knows."

In the Dream World

Elara stood in mist-thick darkness, her breath visible in the cold air of nothingness.

She turned as a presence moved through the black fog.

A man stepped forward, his face shrouded in shadow, eyes gleaming with unnatural light. His voice slithered like smoke. "You're far from home, little one."

Elara stood firm. "I'm not afraid of you."

"A lie," he hissed. "You came here seeking answers. But you will find only pain."

Another presence emerged behind him—beautiful, terrifying.

Lanfear.

Dressed in black, her dark hair cascading like ink, she smiled with a predator's grace.