Kael spent the next several days acclimating himself to his newfound abilities. The sheer magnitude of the power he now wielded was almost overwhelming. He found a secluded clearing deep within the forest, far from any signs of civilization, and began to experiment. The ability to dominate others was the most intriguing, and potentially the most dangerous. He started small, practicing on the local wildlife. A squirrel became his first test subject, its tiny mind easily susceptible to his influence. He made it bury nuts it didn't want to bury, climb down a tree when it wanted to climb up, a childish amusement that quickly morphed into something darker. The ease with which he could control the creature, bending its will to his own, was intoxicating. It was a taste of true power, a glimpse of the control he could wield over others.
He moved on to larger animals – rabbits, deer, even a lone wolf that strayed into his clearing. The wolf proved more resistant, its instincts stronger, its will more defiant. But Kael persevered, pushing his power to its limits, until finally, he broke through. He made the wolf lie down at his feet, its eyes filled with a strange, vacant obedience. He reveled in the sensation of absolute control, the feeling of dominating a creature far stronger than himself. He ordered it to stay, and then left the clearing, feeling the wolf's confused, dominated mind following him until he was out of range.
The ability to understand and speak the Old Tongue, and to decipher any written language, was equally valuable. He scoured the surrounding area, searching for any signs of past civilizations, any clues to the history and secrets of this world. He found ancient ruins overgrown with vegetation, their weathered stones covered in intricate carvings. He deciphered the glyphs, piecing together fragments of forgotten stories, tales of legendary heroes, powerful sorcerers, and devastating wars. He learned of the Breaking of the World, the cataclysmic event that reshaped the land and shattered the foundations of civilization. He learned of the Aes Sedai, the powerful channelers who wielded the One Power, and their centuries-long struggle against the Shadow.
The third ability, the power to mask his presence, was perhaps the most subtle, but potentially the most useful. He practiced blending into his surroundings, becoming a ghost in the forest. He learned to control the flow of his presence, making himself invisible to casual observers. He could walk through the forest without disturbing the wildlife, becoming one with the shadows. He could stand in plain sight, and yet, people would simply not see him. It was like being a phantom, a silent observer, able to move unseen and unheard.
As he honed his abilities, Kael began to formulate a plan. He couldn't simply wander aimlessly through this world. He needed a goal, a purpose. He remembered the books, the intricate plotlines, the complex characters, and the looming threat of the Dark One. He knew that the Dragon Reborn was the key to everything, the one who would either save or destroy the world. And he knew that Moraine Damodred, the Aes Sedai, played a pivotal role in guiding the Dragon Reborn towards his destiny. If he could control her, he could control the future.
He started by tracking the paths near the mountains, getting an overview of the landscape and people. In his travels, he came across bandits, petty theives, and small villages. He paid little attention to these as he was concerned with his own mission. He followed animal trails and small footpaths, trying to determine the most likely path for someone travelling north from Tar Valon. The Old Tongue gave him the ability to find old texts in the ruins he passed. He would often spend hours deciphering these texts, looking for hints of Moraine and possible dangers she might pose to him. His Domination ability was his biggest trump card, and he needed to be sure that it could work.
After a week of travel, he came across a small town, one that he knew was not on any maps. It was a simple farming town where people worked hard. Kael observed the people as he walked through, noticing the hard worn clothes and the calluses on their hands. They looked like people who had worked their whole lives. Kael continued to walk, looking for information when he came across a small Inn. He went inside and sat at the bar. The Innkeeper was friendly enough, serving him a mug of ale and asking where he came from. Kael gave him a false name and said that he was travelling from a distant land to see the world. The Innkeeper nodded and said that few people came to this town unless they were from around here.
Kael asked the Innkeeper if he had heard of any travellers coming through recently. The Innkeeper thought for a moment, and then said that a woman and her warder had stayed at the Inn a few days ago. He remembered that the woman was beautiful and powerful. She had an air of authority about her. Her warder was quiet and observant, always watching the door. Kael felt a surge of excitement. It was her.
"Do you know where they were headed?" Kael asked, trying to keep his voice casual.
"They said they were going to Emond's Field," the Innkeeper replied. "I don't know why anyone would want to go there. It's just a small village in the middle of nowhere."
"Emond's Field," Kael repeated to himself. "Perfect."
He thanked the Innkeeper and paid for his ale. As he walked out of the Inn, he felt a surge of confidence. He knew where Moraine was headed. He had a plan. And he had the power to make it happen. The game was afoot.