Drabbles of life after 2 (Wheel of Time fanfiction)

WoTtober 2024 #22 VOID

I'm surprised none of the warders in the Tower told me about it," Thom said, stretching a little. This exercise was getting him tense even though he could see the long term benefits . "Even the older ones, including Cadsuane's new warder never mentioned it."

Lan took that moment of relax from him to go through several sword forms before answering.

"Not everyone knows or really uses i. This was not something anyone mentioned in the Tower when I got my short training after being first bonded, although I think it should. It helps a lot in understanding your Aes Sedai and her weaving." Lan went through several other forms. "I learned it as a boy, from my sword teacher."

"Your fighting skills are a form of art, I have to admit. Maybe mine would be at least a little better to our training sessions."

Lan went through several other forms before attacking Thom. Or at least pretending to. Thom, however, was fast enough to get out his knives and block the attack. A moment later the younger man had to push himself to keep the sword in his hand.

"I would say there is not much to improve on, gleeman." He indulged in some laugh. "I hope I can keep being so agile in your age. Warder bond would help, of course, but there is no cure for age in the end. And I doubt any of our wives would keep as still as they're now for long."

Thom joined in that laugh. Then something struck him.

"Knowing how to go into ko-di could help understanding Moiraine better?" he asked.

"Do you really need that?" Lan seemed surprised. "I was under the impression you've been reading each other's thoughts almost. You can feel her much better than I was after two decades. Or so it seems to me."

"There is a lot to Moiraine."

"You don't have to tell me." They both laughed. "But yes, I think, no, I know that her channelling feels a lot like the ko-di. It's different for every channeller, it seems so far."

"And you're in this unique position to really know.

"No need to pity me, Thom. I made my peace with all that's happened. And as far as changing bonded partner, well, I'm lucky enough none of them died while I was bonded to them."

"And how is Moiraine different, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Practice the void with a thought to advance your creativity. Another time to help. Also fighting. See the difference. Moiraine's power in the fight is like the void vibrates around her. But there is also another Moiraine," Lan said, his voice taking on a nostalgic tone. "She might act like that, harness her heightened senses that come with channelling to study and use it to help people. Try to tune into the bond when she does that. You might feel probably something similar to composing poetry."

This was enough for Thom to know learning and practicing ko-di would be his prime goal for their shared sessions.