Kael shadowed Moraine and Lan, his presence masked, his intentions dark. He followed them for days, keeping a safe distance, observing their movements, studying their habits. He learned that Moraine was cautious and observant, always scanning her surroundings for any signs of danger. Lan was her constant protector, a silent and deadly warrior, always alert, always ready to defend her. They were a formidable pair, but Kael was confident that he could overcome them. He had the element of surprise, the power of Domination, and the ability to mask his presence.
He knew that he couldn't simply attack them head-on. Lan was too skilled a warrior, and Moraine was too powerful a channeler. He needed to find a way to isolate Moraine, to catch her off guard, to break her defenses. He considered using darkfriends, but he knew he would be selling out his plan to the very people he wanted to dominate. After careful deliberation, he decided against involving them. Instead he would take on this task himself.
After days of tracking them, he found them camped near a river, deep within a secluded valley. Moraine was sitting by the riverbank, meditating, her eyes closed, her mind focused on the One Power. Lan stood guard nearby, his sword drawn, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest. This was his chance.
He activated his third wish, enhancing his ability to mask his presence. He became a wraith, a ghost, almost undetectable. He moved silently through the forest, closing the distance between himself and Moraine. He knew that he had to be careful. One wrong step, one misplaced sound, and he would alert Lan. He crept closer, his heart pounding in his chest, his senses on high alert.
When he was within striking distance, he paused, taking a deep breath, focusing his will. He channeled his Domination, targeting Moraine's mind. He reached out, probing her defenses, searching for a weakness. The resistance was immediate, a powerful barrier of will and magic. She was strong, incredibly strong. But he was determined. He had come too far to turn back now.
He poured all of his will into the attempt, pushing his power to its limits. He battered against her defenses, relentlessly, mercilessly. He could feel her resisting, fighting back, but he refused to yield. He pressed on, his mind locked in a battle of wills with the Aes Sedai. He started by thinking of her as a dog, a simple pet. He focused on making her heel. He saw a memory flash through his mind, her as a child. He focused on the feelings of fear and uncertainty that she must have had when she was younger. The more he delved into her memories, the easier it became. He almost felt sorry for her. But he shook that feeling away and persisted.
Slowly, gradually, he began to break through her defenses. Cracks appeared in her mental armor, weaknesses he could exploit. He pushed harder, focusing on those weaknesses, amplifying them, tearing them apart. He felt a surge of triumph as her resistance began to crumble. Her eyes snapped open, wide with shock and horror. She tried to resist, to fight back, but it was too late. He had her.
The collar materialized around her neck, a symbol of her enslavement. It was a simple silver band, but it radiated power, the power of his Domination. She gasped, clutching at it, her eyes filled with tears of rage and despair. She tried to speak, but no words came out. Her voice was trapped, silenced by the collar.
Lan reacted instantly, his sword flashing in the sunlight. He charged towards Kael, his face contorted with fury. But Kael simply vanished into the shadows, his presence masked, his escape assured.
"What have you done?" Lan growled, his voice filled with grief and fury. He rushed to Moraine's side, kneeling beside her, his eyes filled with concern. "Moraine, are you alright? What happened?"
Moraine shook her head, unable to speak. She tried to explain, to tell him what had happened, but the words wouldn't come. The Domination was complete. She was his. Her mind, her will, her very being, belonged to him.
Kael watched from the shadows, a smug smile on his face. He had done it. He had collared an Aes Sedai. He had taken control of one of the most powerful women in the world. The Wheel of Time was now his to shape. He could feel her mind reaching out to him, begging him to release her. But he ignored her pleas, reveling in his newfound power.
He knew that he couldn't stay here. Lan would be searching for him, hunting him down. He needed to disappear, to regroup, to plan his next move. He used his ability to mask his presence and slipped away into the forest, leaving Lan and Moraine behind.
He found a safe place to hide, a hidden cave deep within the mountains. He rested and contemplated his next move. He knew that he had to be careful. He had made a powerful enemy in Lan. He also knew that he had to keep Moraine under his control. She was his key to shaping the Wheel of Time.
He reached out to her mind, probing her thoughts, exploring her memories. He learned about her past, her training as an Aes Sedai, her knowledge of the One Power. He learned about her mission, her quest to find the Dragon Reborn. He learned about her hopes and her fears.
He realized that Moraine was not simply a tool to be used. She was a complex, intelligent, and powerful woman. He felt a strange mixture of respect and desire for her. He knew that he could use her, but he also knew that he could break her. He could strip her of her will, her dignity, her very humanity.
He decided to test her. He ordered her to walk to him. She refused at first, struggling against his Domination. But he persisted, pushing her, forcing her, until finally, she obeyed. She rose to her feet and walked towards him, her eyes filled with tears.
He watched her as she approached, admiring her beauty, her strength, her defiance. He knew that he could have anything he wanted from her. He could make her his slave, his lover, his weapon. The choices were endless. But he also knew that he had to be careful. One wrong move, and he could lose control of her.
He decided to take things slowly. He wanted to savor his victory, to enjoy his power. He wanted to break her completely, to make her his willing servant. He ordered her to kneel before him. She hesitated, but then, slowly, she lowered herself to the ground.
He smiled, a cruel, predatory smile. "Good girl," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now, we can begin."