Dedicated to Larry Homer, our latter-day bard. May his technical manuals make their users laugh, cry and tremble with emotion.

The second in a series inspired by Evamarie and her tribe of Warders. Those warders who have assumed the names of fictional characters may be ascribed their fictional attributes, no offense is intended.

Evamarie Sedai pulled her big blue coat a little closer to keep out the chill air. She was sitting on a park bench in Cairhein with Ash Gaidin. All of the other gaidin were busy at the tasks that she had assigned them. Six of them were breaking camp and packing up in front of her. She frowned in irritation in the direction of Lady Arilyn's estates. The nerve of that woman telling her that she didn't have room for twelve warders! It must have been that awful Cadsuane who put her up to it! At least that monster Egwene wasn't in town. She had been forced to have half the Warders stay here in the park. Not that anyone would bother six of those deadly men, but it was so undignified. If only the Green Ajah would increase her allowance. Her eye was caught on one of those so-called Topless Towers. Hmmm. They didn't have 13th floors. How was she going to get past that unlucky number? She could bond two at once - best if they were twins, that way you could never tell. She frowned at some passing Cairheinin noblemen with their powdered foreheads, yuck! - no wonder their were so few Cairheinin Warders.

Evamarie shot Ash an anguished look and asked again, "Do you really think what Gholam is doing is a good idea, Ash?" He replied, "There's no Oath against stealing from Darkfriends, Evamarie. I am beginning to think those law classes are a bad influence on you." Evamarie countered, "Just because Barthanes was a Darkfriend doesn't mean that his heirs are." Ash continued, "Just look at the Damodred's, Evamarie. She replied, "I know, I know, Taringail tried to murder Morgase. Laman cut down that nice tree and started the Aiel War. Barthane's a Darkfriend. Caraline stole the Dragon's throne. Moiraine found the Dragon Reborn and then kept that darling boy all to herself. They shouldn't be entrusted with a treehouse, much less a Great House."

Most people passing by avoided all those Warders, but just then, an old beggar women carrying some pathetic flowers approached Evamarie. The woman held out the flowers and started to say something, but suddenly Mordeth leaped up from his packing and slashed her across the wrist with his dagger. "Die Darkfriend!" he shouted and then tittered. The woman immediately turned black and bloated in front of their eyes. Onlookers quickly scattered. Even Aiel decided that this was wetlander business. After a horrorstruck pause, all eyes turned to Mordeth. "Those were poisonous flowers," he stated. Seeing their dubious looks, he continued, "She had a dagger in her other hand". Ash knelt down and gingerly checked, "I don't see one." Mordeth said, "Well, I saw that black smudge on her forehead which I always see on Darkfriends." Ash answered heatedly, "I saw it too! It was dirt, for Light's sake! She was a beggar." Mordeth looked abashed, "Oh … sorry". After a pause, Evamarie said, "That's O.K. But you've got to be more careful, Mordy! Now bury the poor woman."

As he went to get a shovel, Ash said, "The man is a menace! Couldn't you just pass his bond to someone else? I think Caleyna Sedai could use some more Warders now." Eva replied firmly, "I'm not going to pass any bonds, Ash! He can be so sweet sometimes. Besides, I think I've finally found a treatment for his paranoia. The 'Second Age Psychiatry Clinic' in Arad Doman! Everyone coming out of there is just starry-eyed in praise for the psychiatrist, Lady Basene." Ash replied, "they looked more glassy-eyed to me."

They were interrupted again when Gholam Gaidin walked up carrying a huge chest and followed by Stresa and Smileyman. He dropped the chest with a loud thump and jiggling of coins. Eva asked, 'How did it go?" Gholam replied, "Piece of cake! I knew the layout from my previous visit, of course. I only had to knock a few heads together." Evangelion and Maranello approached just then pulling a donkey loaded with an enormous amount of food - fruits, cheese, bread and croissants, even a freshly butchered pig just for Gholam Gaidin. Evamarie jumped up, "At last! Set out lunch for everyone! Now where are my raspberries?"

Before anyone could eat however, a thick gray fog rolled around street corners on each side of the small park. It quickly filled the square, limiting visibility and deadening sound. Sorilea, that crustiest of Wise Ones, happened to be passing by just then. The mist solidified into a grotesque arm and snatched her into the air. As she rose, she sniffed, "You call THIS a bubble of evil! In my day we had some REALLY EVIL bubbles!" The eleven Warders present smoothly drew their weapons and formed a circle of steel about their Aes Sedai. A huge mound, all clawed tentacles and mouths filled with sharp teeth appeared on the edge of the circle. The long tentacles scoured Smileyman across his face and threw him into the center of the circle. With a cry of "Embrace Death!", Aram and Mr. Prophet rushed in close, driving their swords in to the hilt and dismembering the abomination. Evamarie threw fireballs at a dozen spots nearby where the mist thickened. Outside their circle, they could heard people shrieking with terror, though it sounded deadened and distant. There was a lull in the fighting and Evamarie picked up a raspberry candy cane. Delicious! Maybe she should bond the baker next, she thought. Suddenly a huge arm formed above them and reached down toward the table with the food. All the gaidin exploded into action with a cry of "Defend Lunch!" and quickly reduced it to sushi-sized pieces.

Evamarie looked around thinking, "If I were the Creator there would be bubbles of goodness!" Maybe it was time to get out of here. She looked around counting. Who's missing? Oh yes. RichRahl was going to the laundry. She felt for his bond and found him. There! He's just a little way over there. Moments later, he appeared. Sword in one hand and a half-a-dozen Domani dresses held high in the other. He hacked fiercely at another tentacle creature. Gore flew everywhere, covering Rich and the dresses. His sword buried deep into the thing and just melted away. With a frown, Evamarie shouted out, "Stand back dearest!" A bar of liquid fire sprung from her hand. The creature disappeared after a second where it looked like a misty image of itself. Rich trotted in, grumbling, "If only I had a powerwrought blade!" Eva inspected the now pristine dresses with a smile, "They don't grow on trees, dearest. Now that we are all here. Let's go!"

But the mist foiled her knowing of this place, so she couldn't Travel out. She made a Skimming platform instead. Everyone piled in, but with all their gear, there just wasn't quite enough room. Gholam Gaidin quickly piped up, "I'll stay! I'll be fine! Don't worry!" Eva asked, "Are you sure? O.K. We'll meet you at the north gate of the city. Take care."

Gholam Gaidin sauntered through the mist with its terrible destruction and horrorstruck wails. Body parts were scattered everywhere. This neighborhood had been wiped out. He licked his lips and grinned. This lunch would be the best that he had eaten in months!

-Raolin Darksbane

P.S. Since this was written Evamarie has added a thirteenth Warder. Congratulations, Kheltan on joining the ever-growing brotherhood.

P.P.S. If anyone missed this, Lady Basene is Graendal's pseudonym.