MATTERS OF THE HEART
By: Rai

Disclaimers, spoilers and rating found within the first chapter

Chapter 2 – There are Wolves about Tonight

"How are you going to free him?" asked Nynaeve levelly to Lan, causing him to glance at her. Moiraine could only look upon him, however, for she could sense that beneath his mask of sternness there was a touch of affection within his eyes and in his heart as he looked upon Nynaeve ever briefly.

But it was as if he realized that she saw him, for the look and feeling vanished almost as soon as she had noticed it as he answered flatly, "I can bring him out, but he'll likely be in no shape for stealth. If we're seen, we may find two hundred Whitecloaks on our heels, and us riding double. Unless they are too busy to chase us."

There was a brief pause. Moiraine could feel him struggle within himself over the question he had to ask her, and for a moment she thought that he would not. And though she heard no sound from him, she thought him to have shifted uncomfortably on his feet for an instant. She closed her eyes as she began to prepare to ask the Wisdom herself when he finally said: "Are you willing to take a chance?"

They did not have to wait long for her reply. Moiraine barely had time to draw breath before Nynaeve answered, "To help an Emond's Fielder? Of course! What kind of chance?"

Moiraine relaxed only but a little at Nynaeve's answer. And while Moiraine was thankful for her assent, she was also fearful of the decision Nynaeve had made so readily and so quickly. For Nynaeve knew not the true dangers of this mission. How could she? She was little more than a child after all, borne of a backwater town at the edge of nowhere where trouble is seldom found.

But there was no turning back now and little choice otherwise. Failure was not an option, and for better or for worse, Nynaeve had talents that could be of use tonight.

Moiraine tilted her head and watched as Lan pointed into the darkness again, beyond the tents. "Their horse lines," he said to Nynaeve in a low, steady voice that masked the anxiety that Moiraine could feel building within him. "If the picket-ropes are cut, not all the way through but enough so they'll break when Moiraine creates a diversion, the Whitecloaks will be too busy chasing their own horses to come after us. There are two guards on that side of the camp beyond the picket-lines, but if you are half as good as I think you are, they'll never see you."

Moiraine could sense his discomfort over that final comment; that it became necessary to goad Nynaeve into a danger he did not wish for her to become wrapped up in. Moiraine could only responded with a firm, unwavering thought, reminding him as much as to herself that there is no other choice, that this must be done.

"I'll do it," said Nynaeve quickly, with such assurance that Moiraine wondered if the goading was even necessary, or if Nynaeve had even noticed the subtle attempt. She stiffened however upon sensing Lan's nerves tightening, and Moiraine realized that Lan had taken the Wisdom's quick answer as affirmation that Nynaeve knew little of what dangers she would face in doing what they wished for her to do.

In a way, Moiraine wondered much the same as he did on whether Nynaeve understood the jeopardy that they are putting her through on this night.

But Lan was ever outwardly stone-faced as he nodded again. "One other thing," he said to Nynaeve. "There are wolves about, tonight."

Moiraine blinked sharply, surprise catching her somewhat off guard. For Lan had neither indicated nor spoke of any sighting of wolves to her before now. But he paid no mind to her surprise or the sharp questions she mentally sent his way as he continued to say, "I saw two, and if I saw that many there are probably more."

He paused this time, and Moiraine realized that there was a tinge of wonder in his voice. "It was almost as if they wanted me to see them." He paused for but a brief moment again as if to allow himself the time to process the thought, though Moiraine knew the pause was for her benefit alone. "Anyway, they shouldn't bother you," he continued nonchalantly. "Wolves usually stay away from people."

"I wouldn't have known that," Nynaeve said sweetly. "I only grew up around shepards."

He grunted, a grunt that made Moiraine raise an eyebrow at him, for within that sound was a touch of annoyance borne on concern that was most uncharacteristic of Lan. Truly this woman must affect him deeper than even she could have anticipated, to have him expose his feelings as openly as he did then.

"We'll do it now, then," he said, and Moiraine was unsure if the sullen tone she sensed was heard or felt through her bond.

Moiraine looked upon the Wisdom now in the darkness and saw that her dark eyes were blazing at the challenge. And Moiraine could only frown at Nynaeve's eagerness, for it was clear in her eyes and in her zeal that she knew not the dangers before her, nor the peril that Lan and Moiraine had orchestrated her into.

Nynaeve reminded Moiraine something of herself when she left the Tower, once an eager creature going out into the world, seeking a purpose and an adventure that was hers alone to uncover and guard, such as it was for newly raised Aes Sedai. That eagerness was gone now; replaced by the pains of twenty years of hardship, failure and heartbreak. It was in those years she learned the grim reality that is her own mortality, and the harsh truth that even the Power would not protect her if she were to be too careless.

And she saw within Nynaeve that these were lessons she had yet to learn or comprehend.

It was for this reason that Moiraine caught Nynaeve's arm in a strong grip as the Wisdom was about to slip away into the dark and the Light knew what dangers that would befall them and her before the night's end.

Take care," said Moiraine softly. "Once you cut the ropes, return as quickly as you can. You are a part of the Pattern, too, and I would not risk you, any more than any of the others, if the whole world was not at risk in these days."

She meant it. Every word of it. But as she released the Wisdom's arm while ignoring the way Nynaeve rubbed it surreptitiously, Moiraine could sense the tight knot that is Lan's emotions in the back of her head. And she could not help but wonder if she had said what she had said for the Wisdom's own sake, or for the sake of her Warder.

What does it matter whose sake it was spoken for? said Moiraine to herself silently. The fate of the world may rest on this night, and we cannot allow her involvement to ruin our mission if she were to be careless due to her own inexperience.

However, perhaps it would have been better if Moiraine had said nothing at all. For it was not until after those words were spoken did Moiraine notice the light in Nynaeve's eyes, reminding the Aes Sedai of the Wisdom's stubbornness that belied her tirelessly inexorable pride; a pride that both strengthened but also blinded.

It was a pride that had both dogged and tried Moiraine's patience these last few days.

So Moiraine could only silently curse as she listened to Nynaeve ignore her warnings and wisdoms as she angrily hurried into the night, a cacophony of fallen branches cracking carelessly beneath her feet. Moiraine said nothing, of course. There was nothing more she could say. All she could do now was pray to the Light that the Wisdom would regain her wits swiftly before her own simple pride brought her to ruin this night.

Though if she were to fail, would it be the Wisdom's fault for her own obstinate persistence, or Moiraine's for allowing one so inexperienced and so unaware of her own failings as Nynaeve to become involved in such a dangerous venture?

It must be done! Moiraine thought harshly to herself. The fate of the world may rest on this night.

She fell into a crouched position before embracing saidar, letting its sweetness to wash over her like a warm shower in late spring. In an instant it seemed as if the world brightened about her and deepened. Such was the power of the True Source that her perception sharpened so that even that darkness could not hide the bramble that barred her way. Her senses were heightened so that she could feel the grain of the wooden staff in her hand, made smooth by extended use.

For a moment she allowed herself to be swept up in the wondrous rush of life and awareness that the Power gave her, but was quick to stop herself from drawing more than she could hold. Handling the Power was always a constant battle with one's own willpower, for the more you drew on saidar, the more you wanted to draw. It is for this reason that self-discipline is among the first things that the White Tower taught to new initiates. Without it, you would eventually draw too much of the One Power within yourself and so perish.

Moiraine calmed her mind, easing her hold on the One Power so that she held only the merest trickle, though she regretted losing most of the sweet feeling of exhilaration it gave her. But she resisted its temptations. Instead, she mentally readied the weaves needed for what she planned as her distraction.

It should have been a familiar weave, one that had been used on countless previous occasions. But Moiraine found her concentration to be lacking. In the time that she waited, in which it seemed as if an eternity passed, she nearly lost her hold on the One Power several times, her flows knotting so that had she not been careful, the mistake could have caused catastrophic results. She chided herself then, like a Sister scolding a careless and inattentive novice. She had to remain calm.

She did not know what it was that had left her so strangely distracted, even confused. She then sensed Lan in the back of her mind, a burning intensity that was both dull and demanding. Perhaps, she thought at first, but immediately cast the notion aside. For no matter his feelings, no matter his affections for Nynaeve, he knew better than to let such emotions compromise or consume their mission.

Moiraine blinked then, for it was at that moment that she remembered the Wisdom and so realized that she had yet to return from her own dangerous foray.

Moiraine casually cast her eyes about her to see if the Wisdom had arrived without her having noticed, though it was a futile gesture. Few are capable of approaching unnoticed upon the Aes Sedai, especially one embracing the Source. Though Moiraine had to quickly remind herself that it was only a few weeks ago that Nynaeve had somehow managed to do so.

A sudden feeling of impatience began to fill her, and she realized that it came not from within herself, but from the normally steely, unmoveable knot at the back of her mind that made up her Warder's emotions. Lan, it seems, had reached the boy Perrin and the girl Egwene as well, and now only waited upon Moiraine's intended distraction to draw them away from the camp.

And still the Wisdom was nowhere to be seen.

A million possibilities filled her, each less favourable than the last. Moiraine's expression darkened as she cast another glance about herself once more, wondering, "Where is that Wisdom..."

She gasped, for her senses were suddenly overwhelmed by an incredible force. So much so that she had to brace herself upon the cold, hard forest floor upon which she crouched to keep from falling backwards into it. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was she felt.

"How?" she wondered incredulously. "The One Power... and so much of it..."

It was in the same moment that a single thought consumed her mind, and it was a thought that was both foreign and strange to Moiraine, but one also borne on desperation.

"Do it now..."

TBC

Author's Note: Sorry about the delay with regards to the update of this story. With that said, the final chapter may be further delayed due to having fractured my left wrist recently. I apologize for the frustration that may be associated to having to wait. Believe me when I say that I did not plan it this way...