The Final Plea

This came from a challenge on Twitter a couple of years ago from a Wheel of Time fan account asking if you could choose one WoT-related scene to make a 15 minute short film of, what would it be (this was just after we'd had the confirmation that the Amazon series would go ahead (I have Feelings and Opinions on said series, best discussed elsewhere)). So I though about it and answered that for me, it would be the moments leading up to Lews Therin Telamon to take the Hundred Companions, and Latra Posae Decume's choice to hold the female Aes Sedai back from joining them. This is by no means finished, but it's a start.

<Audio all from the Star Chamber in the Hall of Servants, mostly LTT (Lews Therin Telamon) and LPD (Latra Posae Decume)and their final debate regarding their respective gambits for ending the war and the threat of the Dark One.

Visuals alternate between LTT leaving the Hall, looking weathered and betrayed, with his strongest proponents falling in behind him; and the debate itself raging within the Chamber. Opens with the men leaving, then flickers to the Chamber every 2-5 seconds, until the Companions have left in their transports. Some female Aes Sedai are seen trying to persuade the male Aes Sedai to stay, others seen openly weeping, and while the majority still hold with LPD, several cast poisonous glances in her direction.

This opening is the tail-end of the debate-cum-shouting match/pleading, LTT's booming "May the Creator find forgiveness for your betrayal, Latra, I pray it doesn't come back to haunt us all." bringing it to a close.

Scene move to a few weeks before - rain hammering outside, an exhausted, yet hopeful, LTT holds a meeting with LPD to sound out his plan, and find out what support there could be for it.>

"I know you have a lot invested in the Choendan Kal project, and it is a great work, but I fear it too. None should have that power - non save the Creator himself. It's too much - and that's without considering what would happen should a Dreadlord, or worse one of the Forsaken, get their hands on an access key. Bloody ashes, its a thought to keep you up at night, and these days I find less and less things to let me sleep. In other times... In other times, I would think very differently upon the great sa'angreal, and undoubtedly would have vied to be part of the research myself. But now... after so much has been lost - after the balefire purges - we cannot risk a strategy that involves the Choendan Kal. I'm sorry, Latra, but it is far too great a risk."

"You speak of risk with what you propose, Lews Therin? Come now, using the sa'angreal to erect a barrier across the Bore is no risk at all compared to a full assault!"

"Yes, Latra Posae, I do. That is the weight I give the thought. I didn't come to argue, or be so dismissive, but the very thought of even accessing such great amounts of Saidin shakes me to my core."

"Since when did the great Dragon turn into such an scared old maid? I never thought you to be a coward!"

"You will hold a civil tongue when you speak to me, Latra Posae Decume! And you will not insult me with words you cannot fathom! Remind me, when was the last time you engaged an army of the Friends of the Dark? What did you give at the gates of Paraan Disen? I doubt you would be so quick to name any coward had you not shied away from the field of battle for so long. Do you not think my reaction enough to give you pause about this scheme?"

Visibly shaken LPD "I... I apologise. I misspoke, I know you are no coward. Your plan to attack at Shayol Ghul though... you can see no alternative? It's tantamount to suicide, and to risk our strongest... it's near unthinkable!"

"It's not my finest plan, but neither is it my first - nor even my 51st. I am open to listening to all suggestions, but ultimately, everything comes down to an attack there, as a front to reseal the Bore. Anything else risks the world being plunged into an endless war of attrition, one I fear we would have little chance of winning."

"Then I will make enquiries of support on your behalf, although I hope you come up with something a damn sight better than this."

LPD leaves the room, LTT sat in his chair, turned to stare out into the rain.