#sworn

My principles for being on the internet:

         Mat braced himself, waiting for the blow to fall, waiting for it all to end. He screwed his eyes shut to hold back tears, then set his jaw and his shoulders, determined at least not to scream or beg- to hold onto some kind of dignity.          And then one second dragged into two, the four. Mat’s jack hammering heart became loud in his own ears, the veins in his neck and shoulders feeling full to bursting, ready to break open out of his skin. The sound of the fire crackling came to Mat, the howling of the wind, and enough of sensation broke through that he felt his head throb from where it had struck the stone, and feel his joints twang with agony.          And still that last blow did not fall.          When Mat dared enough to open his eyes, he found himself gazing up at the Scarlet Groom, who was staring down at him. The clouds had rolled back enough to turn the blade in his hand more white then red, and illuminate his dark features. That anguish was back- a mortal agony in those eyes that Mat could neither understand nor fathom. He was gazing down at Mat as if he had never known a greater source of pain, or hurt. Through his fear and regret and shame a bit of indignation managed to well up. What bloody right did his would-be murder have to be sad? Mat hadn’t even done anything to him!          Mat shoved that thought aside. Trying to think- but it was hard now that the adrenaline was fading. His head felt stuffed with wool again. Hesitation. The man was hesitating. That was what mattered. There was something holding him back. Mat could feel the snare around his throat, but it wasn’t closed yet. There had to be a way.          He would get one chance, maybe just one word before the man came back to himself. One toss of the dice. He scrambled wildly, trying to find the right thread to pull, all his memories of this man blurring together into a single mass.          “Rand.” The name popped out of Mat’s mouth almost without thought. The Scarlet Groom had looked more than sad when he looked at Rand. He had held regret in those eyes. “Please- For Rand’s sake. Don’t do this.” Mat’s tongue felt heavy and the words came out slurred. He knew he should be ashamed, but he wasn’t above begging if there was a chance it might actually work. “Please, he’ll have no one.”