If it works, use it.

Siuan returned quickly, and the orders were passed on without a hitch. Bryne agreed readily to go on the presumed mission. While he had done a good job leading their army, here Chubain was captain of the Tower Guard and there was really no pressing reason for Bryne to remain in the Tower itself.

Then it was time for dinner, and Sheriam left her anteroom with no concern that Siuan might find anything about the Black among her papers. Even before Verin's betrayal she had sometimes worried Siuan might find something amiss, might discover some reports she had held back or other discrepancies. She was careful to leave as little trace of her tampering as possible, and Siuan was far out of line in going through her things, but the constant presence and nosiness of Siuan had been annoying to say the least. There was no such concern now, and Sheriam ate calmly, taking the time she needed to sustain her body now sleep was so often in short supply.

When she returned she checked in with Egwene. Egwene had retrieved Verin's journal from her rooms, and Sheriam took it. Egwene showed her the Bookstrap and the code book which was needed to decipher the notes. There was no time to read it all right then, of course, but Sheriam glanced at a few entries while Egwene translated with the code book, and leafed through the journal getting a feel of the extend of the information Verin had written. How had the woman gathered so much detail? She had not even set herself up in a need-to-know position. Who all had said too much, and who had been responsible for allowing Verin to join in the first place? She knew not all recruiters were as careful who they initiated into the Black as Moria was. If there ever was time for such a thing again, she would look further into it, for now what counted was that they had secured the journal. She put the Bookstrap around it and put it in her belt pouch, ready to hand to Mesaana when she got here.

Mesaana arrived soon after and instructed Egwene. Sheriam would remain in the Tower, rather than take part in the actual turning, there was no need for them all to be gone and leave the anteroom unmanned.

Saerin arrived at the appointed time, and Sheriam let her into Egwene's study. Saerin was effortlessly shielded and carried off. It was so easy to catch any single sister without a Warder, Sheriam found it hard to understand why this had not been used long before.

She went back to her own desk, catching up with the regular Tower business concerning supplies, repairs and whatnot. She checked the requested fees of the stone masons, adjusted the most ambitious ones down a little. The Tower's coffins were vast, but not unlimited, and Elaida's excesses had taken their toll.

Shortly Silviana came in and took a seat on one of the chairs for visitors to wait. Silviana looked much better than she had a couple days ago, although she still looked thinner than Sheriam remembered her. But then many of them did, she herself had lost weight since the breaking of the Tower.

"While I am here, I would like to schedule the Accepted test for Sharina," Silviana mentioned.

Sheriam glanced at Silviana, caught by surprise. There had been so much else to occupy her, and even the 'regular' Tower business she was working on now was not really the same that had once been called such; it now included supplies for the army and a Tower Guard several times the size it had been at any time since the Trolloc Wars, repairs to be made after the Seanchan raid and other things that would hardly have been called 'regular' a few years ago. Of course, after months away from the Tower proper and the three arches ter'angreal, there would be some ready to take the test.

"She has the strength and the life experience," Silviana said, taking Sheriam's silence as a request for a further explanation. "She hasn't been channeling long but she will be able to study better as an Accepted."

Sheriam nodded, still a little distractedly. Of course Silviana was right, that wasn't the point. But what would the arches show? Of course what one saw in the arches wasn't real, but it was closely related to reality, could hint at it and more. Would Sharina see anything that would alert her to what was going on, or was it needless to worry about that? The arches had been used for hundreds of years, and all that time the Black had been in the Tower, but they had never launched an offensive on this scale before. How much could be explained away by the fact that the Last Battle was near?

Also Egwene would be expected to be there for the testing, they were so busy already! And Sharina wouldn't be the only one in the near future either, not with such a huge inflow of new novices, many of them older and better suited to independent study as an Accepted than in the novice classes. She wondered how it had been in older times when the Tower had held hundreds of novices and Accepted, had the Amyrlin personally attended every Accepted test then? She would have one of the Browns look it up, Lairain was an expert when it came to ceremonies of all sorts.

In spite of these concerns, it would be difficult to deny the request. It really was the Mistress of the Novices who had the final say of who was ready to take the test, asking her to schedule the test was a practical matter more than a request for permission. And more importantly, it would attract notice if none of the stronger novices were allowed to take the test now that they had access to the Arches again. Any sensible Amyrlin would push the novices and Accepted at a time like this, an Amyrlin like Egwene, who had been pushed so fast herself, even more.

"Tomorrow afternoon before Supper," she said.

After the turning, she'd instruct her to use all Black sisters to work the arches, just in case.

"Thank you," Silviana replied. "She will be ready."

Sheriam did not doubt it, Silviana was a typical Red in her opinion of men and Warders, but she was sensible in other ways. Sharina would be there and would be as ready as anyone could ever be for the Accepted test. She marked the time down and was just about to turn back to the other paperwork when the door to her anteroom opened and Romanda strode in.

The Yellow Sitter had her grey hair done in a severe bun, pulled back so tightly it made Sheriam's scalp crawl just to look at it. Or perhaps it was Romanda herself who caused that sensation, the woman had to be one of the most aggravating people Sheriam had ever had the displeasure of working with. Romanda and Lelaine, who came in second only because she was a Blue and that meant they agreed on matters just a little more often.

This time, too, Romanda didn't bother with even basic courtesies. Without so much of a greeting, she demanded to see Egwene.

"The Amyrlin is in a meeting with Saerin, and then will meet with Silviana. You will have to wait," Sheriam told her.

"A Sitter outranks the Mistress of Novices," Romanda pointed out.

"But the Amyrlin outranks you, and she has requested to see Silviana, not the other way around," Sheriam replied, her voice a lot calmer than she felt.

"Did that blasted woman not tell you I was here this morning already? And now you tell me to wait again?" Romanda argued.

"Siuan did mention it. She also mentioned you left. If you'd waited, you would have been able to see the Amyrlin before Dinner, but now I am afraid you will have to wait your turn. Please have a seat," Sheriam told her curtly.

For a moment it seemed Romanda would sit down, but at that moment the door to Egwene's study opened and Saerin came out, still looking a bit dazed from what had just happened to her, but Romanda was far too self-centered to notice that. As soon as she saw the door to Egwene's study was open, she started forward and it was only with a quick intervention that Sheriam managed to step in front of her, blocking her way.

"I said you will have to wait," she said sharply.

"And I do not wish to wait on a Mistress of the Novices, who has only been in that function for a matter of days. I am very busy and I simply must see the Amyrlin."

She was very busy? With plotting and scheming, no doubt. And did she really think Silviana was any less busy, what with all the new novices who had come to the Tower recently? Truly, the woman was impossible. There was one way to put an end to this.

"Very well, I will tell the Amyrlin you wish to see her," she snapped. She stepped back and made a half-turn into Egwene's study, without leaving enough room for Romanda to push her way in just yet. "Mother, Romanda is here and she insists on seeing you right away. She is very persistent." From the corner of her eye, she watched for Mesaana's reaction rather than Egwene's. Mesaana gave her a nod.

"You can see her," Sheriam said, sounding displeased. With an apologetic glance at Silviana, she stepped aside, allowing Romanda to sweep into Egwene's study, and just to be sure, she followed.

Romanda saw Mesaana, frowned only for a moment, then started. "Mother, I must protest…" She never did get any further than that, for at the click of the door, Mesaana had her shielded and bound. Sheriam enjoyed the look of utter shock on her face as Egwene wove the Gateway to the Ivory Shell, and it was only with regret that she remained behind. She would have liked to see Romanda's face when she saw the Myrddraal. But there was no need for her with Romanda successfully shielded. As soon as the gateway closed, she returned to her anteroom.

"I am sorry, Silviana," she said as she walked back to her desk. "It will not be very long."

Silviana grimaced, but did not protest. "I understand."

And it did not take long before Romanda reappeared. The Sitter also had that slightly dazed look in her eye, before she composed herself and strode off into the hall, and Silviana looked at her strangely, but that in itself was not a problem. Egwene had this way of coming up with ways to baffle the best of them. Perhaps if Silviana had been in here for any other reason, she might later wonder what had caused the Sitter to look so out of sorts, might even have spoken of it, but in a little while that would no longer be an issue. Silviana would know, and she wouldn't speak of it. Sheriam gestured at the door.

"You can go in now."

"Thank you," Silviana replied respectfully as she got up and walked into Egwene's study. She really wasn't too bad for a Red.

Sheriam continued her paperwork. An Accepted arrived with a new message listing the Sitters for the Grey, and she wondered what had taken them so long. Since Delana and Evanellein both had fled, they only had one extra. Now only the Yellow was left to make their choice known, and Sheriam expected she knew at least two of the three. She had little doubt Romanda would remain, and now Romanda was theirs Sedore would also certainly keep her seat.

Then the door to Egwene's study opened again and Silviana came out. Just like she had in the Hall, even when she had been led in in chains, Silviana's face betrayed nothing of what had just happened.

"I was told to report to you," she said calmly.

Sheriam wove a light ward on the door, enough to stop anyone from overhearing but not enough to make anyone wonder what could be amiss.

"There are quite a number of novices and Accepted who are Friends of the Dark. Margory has kept an eye on those in Salidar and on the road. Here Katerine did, even before she was appointed in your place, and we do not know where she is, but Margory knows all of those I knew before the split. You can approach the Black sisters as long as you are careful about warding the room, but use the Mask of Mirrors when you need to speak to any of the novices or Accepted. They are not bound yet."

"I understand," Silviana replied.

"You will also get those who make cuendillar and show promise for the making of ter'angreal at a few different items, I will give you a list of what to work on. Any working items are of course to be handed over to me or directly to Mesaana."

Silviana nodded. "Of course, Sheriam."

"Sharina's Accepted test can be held as planned, but I will pick those who work the arches and who will be present at the final ceremony, and if she comes out and has seen too much, you will not interfere."

Silviana looked sick, and Sheriam quickly reassured her.

"She won't be harmed," she said. She would see to it that Sharina was either captured or turned if such was necessary. The woman might be untrained but she was strong, far too strong to waste.

Silviana nodded, clearly relieved.

"Dismissed," Sheriam said. Silviana left and she herself went into Egwene's study.

"That went really well. Three more key figures who are ours," Mesaana said. "Also, Saerin had important news. She, Yukiri and Seaine have been experimenting with the Oath Rod to see if it could be beaten somehow. They came up with some rather creative theories, have so far overlooked the actual solution but they must of course be stopped. Yukiri and Seaine will be here shortly, I told Silviana to send for them. It can't be long before they discover they have been overlooking the obvious."

Sheriam narrowed her eyes. "I wonder what put them up to it, it seemed the sisters trusted the results of the test."

"I did not order them to," Egwene said. "I meant to, but I had no time. Perhaps they had reason to believe Mesaana was in the Tower from what they discovered in their Black Ajah hunt."

"I just hope no others show such initiative," Sheriam remarked. "But Yukiri and Seaine should cause no trouble once turned."

"We will take the other Sitters who do not have Warders as well, they are taken easily enough and it will limit the risk of another one forgetting her manners and barging in here as if it's a Kemali ale house," Mesaana said.

Sheriam nodded. Then something occurred to her, something that would stop both the pushy ones like Romanda, as well as any others who held creative theories. "Why stop at the Sitters? Could we handle much larger numbers -like every full sister?"

"That's…," Mesaana started, then paused. "Hm, a truly loyal army of channelers, with no concern they may break free of who controls them and turn on us. It's feasible, the weave is not difficult to learn and those who are turned can help take the rest. It is most straining on the Myrddraal, but there are plenty of those. It can't be done at the inn of course, the room is not large enough and we need a location which is far enough away from populated areas that there is little risk of detection, even if we have multiple circles channeling at the same time."

"The Kandori farm should have some large rooms, the barns if nothing else, and it is secluded," Sheriam said. "But I would rather not lead all the gateways we are going to need to the place where the weaker exposed sisters are."

"I may have a place in mind, if that does not work out we will use the farm. In any case, those who can read residue will be a priority, perhaps even those with Warders. Their men do not hold such a public position as Bryne did, and individual sisters can be sent off it they have too much trouble controlling their Warders," Mesaana said. "We will call them in immediately after the Sitters."

"We won't have to call the sisters in here one by one, many of the Black are strong enough they ought to be able to take those close to them, especially if they work in pairs," Sheriam suggested.

"We will work it out and call the Supreme Council together tonight," Mesaana decided.

Yukiri and Seaine arrived shortly after, and were taken without a hitch. Seaine seemed more taken aback by the fact she had overlooked such a simple method to beat the Oath Rod than by the taking itself -of course, this was after the turning was done, and the turning included acceptance of one's new allegiance.

-0-

Just as she was about to finish for the day, a second murder was reported. Molley Beckari, a young Brown who had remained in the Tower, was found in the library. This death had been recent, the blood still fresh and the body warm. Yet it was too late for Healing, and it quickly became clear no one had seen anything out of the ordinary. Not that most of the Brown would notice a stranger unless he was swinging his knife openly in the halls, Sheriam thought. More wards were set, and Akkarin, who was a Brown, joined Nisain in the investigation. No traces of channeling were found, other than the weaves of Salita and Talva, who had been the first to respond to the outcry and had tried to save Molley.

-0-

The Council met and they were only a small group. Alviarin, Galina, Talene, Evanellein, Katerine, Marillin and Delana were all gone, so the only ones left were Moria, Dagdara, Velina, Sedore, Leesa -who had Traveled in from the Kandori farm- and herself. And Mesaana, of course. It was strange to meet without a disguise, the only one who still wore a Mask of Mirrors was Mesaana, who appeared as the tall blonde. The other Council members eyed her uncertainly. They all knew who she was, now, even if she still hid her true appearance, and it clearly made them uneasy. Understandably. All knelt respectfully as they entered.

"First order of business, I want you all to speak freely. Within reason of course. But mistakes have been made by others of the Chosen that could have been avoided if they had had more information. I do not want that to happen, if you have a concern about our plans, speak up," Mesaana instructed them.

Restless glances all around showed the Council members weren't eager to put this to the test.

"I will be more than displeased if my plans fail because any of you was too cowardly to point out a flaw," the Chosen told them, and finally there came reluctant nods.

Sheriam briefly outlined the situation. It would be marginally easier for the Council members to speak if she told them the plan than if Mesaana did. "The Amyrlin is ours, as are Siuan, Silviana, Romanda, Saerin, Saeine and Yukiri. The other Sitters will be taken as well. After that, we want you all to take those close to you who have no Warders, all other Aes Sedai who do not have a bond will be turned."

"All who don't have a Warder?" Sedore started. She glanced uncomfortably at Mesaana but still continued "Can't we control them some other way? There are many of us."

"There are still many sisters with Warders, it will be hard enough to control them. In fact we will take a good many of them also, but as late as possible, to minimize the risk one of the Warders will break free from compulsion or the compulsion will be discovered," Sheriam said. "In the Last Battle we will be up against the Dragon's forces, we should have as little as possible to worry about from within the Tower."

"And what will happen afterwards? We who have served the Great Lord for years, will we have to share our power with these newcomers, who wouldn't even have joined voluntarily?" Velina asked.

"Once the entire world is mine, there will be many positions of power. All places now held by various Kings and Queens with at most one Aes Sedai 'advisor'," Mesaana spat the words, "Shall then be held by us. And I will remember who was of the Black."

Moria looked doubtful. "From what I understand, those who have been turned are fully dedicated. Now even though we are sworn to serve the Great Lord, many of the Black had their own reasons to join, worked for their own interests next to those of the Black. And we can't even be sure there isn't another traitor in our midst, although I doubt anyone will try the same trick Verin used again."

She had a point, Sheriam had to admit, and she cursed herself for not thinking of it. She herself had juggled so many interests only a few days ago! And there was no guarantee there weren't any other traitors among them, she sure had not expected it of Verin. But that was why they had the Council, and why Mesaana had told them to speak their thoughts.

"A valid concern," she replied. "Then we should prove ourselves, Egwene's idea with the Oath Rod was sound, even if her method was, fortunately, flawed." She looked at Mesaana. "Could the turning be used on us as well?"

She noticed some uneasy stirrings from the other Council members, apprehension she likely would have shared until very recently, but Mesaana clearly liked the idea. She nodded.

"Yes, it could be done. The last part of the weave is different of course, but that is the case for anyone who isn't held by the Oath Rod."

"Then we should do it," Sheriam decided. "I will go first myself."

Moria shifted in her chair, opened her mouth but closed it again. Sedore also looked as if she wanted to protest, glanced at Mesaana and said nothing.

"If you have a concern, speak up," Mesaana said, noticing their looks.

"No," Sedore said carefully. "Well.. It does no harm?"

Mesaana shook her head. "It will not. The Great Lord's essence can even protect you from some influences. It is certainly less harmful than the binder, the Oath Rod. You do know what it does, don't you?"

Sedore nodded. The effect of the Oaths, in appearance and longevity, had of course become obvious when the very first of the Black broke theirs, and it was one of the Black Ajah's greatest frustrations that they had never discovered a way to fake the negative effects, even in part. Even the most dedicated of the Black had to swear to the Great Lord, not just to ensure their obedience but also to avoid standing out like a sore thumb, and even while they knew it cost them years of their life.

"It must be done," Velina said, and Leesa nodded a brisk agreement. Not only were those two likely the most dedicated to the Great Lord of those who were here, but they were also White. They would be the first to see what was necessary.

Slowly, nods came from the others too. Not that their agreement was strictly needed, not with Mesaana present, and they may have put up more of a protest if the Chosen hadn't been there, but even so, Sheriam was glad they reached a kind of consensus.

"While we have channelers and Myrddraal, it will put a strain on the time we have, I do not think we have many months before the Last Battle," Mesaana said. "Do not wait with the Sitters and the residue-readers until we are done with the Black. I will gather the Myrddraal. You find seven strong Black who will not be missed if they are frequently absent the next few days, and be at the inn in an hour. No, make that six and a sister who is held by the Oaths, so I can show how to weave that part."

All acknowledged and as Mesaana opened a gateway and left, and Sheriam quickly instructed the others who to gather. She knew whom she wanted, the same she had gathered that first evening at the camp. If those who had remained in the Tower disliked her choice, that was just too bad. Siuan proved that even while she would be able to trust anyone not to betray the Black, they would still be the same person underneath, and she much rather worked with those who had been in camp than with those who had remained with Elaida.

The selected sisters were gathered, and Sheriam took Moria and Velina with her as she went to see Carlinya. As she had hoped, the White was alone in her quarters. Regretfully she was the only one of her small group of Salidar leaders who had no Warder, she would like to take Morvrin too, and Myrelle, if those who had gone to the Black Tower were ever to return.

With a pang of sadness she thought of Anaiya, and she wondered why Halima had not turned her instead of killing her. She -and Kairen too- could have backed up Halima's cover while their deaths, in the end, only caused her as well as Delana to be exposed. Of course if that had happened she might still be reporting to Halima, or worse, to both Chosen, who may well give conflicting orders. She had heard tales of that happening before, with extremely unpleasant results.

No, there was a war on, and some would die, there was no helping that. She should not forget that Anaiya, if she had known Sheriam was a Black, would have watched her execution just like all the non-Black sisters had watched the execution of the fifteen who were caught, with anger, righteous satisfaction, and likely very little regret.

Carlinya of course let them in without protest, somewhat surprised by their late visit, but who would refuse two Sitters and the Keeper, or suspect anything like this, especially so soon after they had all sworn on the Oath Rod? It was going to be easy to take most of the sisters, although they should remain vigilant, overconfidence could kill. Even non-Black sisters held back angreal or ter'angreal sometimes, and while Wells were rare, there was no guarantee no one else held one.

But not Carlinya. Her expression was one of surprise, not even real shock or horror until they had taken her through the gateway and she saw the Myrddraal.

They had been quick, but so was everyone else, no one in their right mind wanted to be late to an appointment with one of the Chosen. It was well within the hour when they were all present and Mesaana gathered them into the circle.

Using Carlinya, Mesaana wove the turning slower than any previous times, explaining what she did at every step. It was not a very complicated weave, most of its power came from the Myrddraal and the circle, more than from the intricacy of the weave itself.

As Carlinya got up from the table, shaking and pale but otherwise unharmed, Sheriam let go of the link. While Velina drew Carlinya into the circle and told her what was required of her, Mesaana looked around.

"Who first?"

The Black glanced around, then Dagdara raised her hand. "I will."

For a moment, Sheriam wished Mesaana herself would do the turning, she had not realized one of the others would. Then, she had just considered the weave not too difficult, she would not hesitate to take the lead herself. She stepped between the Myrddraal -strange how quickly she had gotten used to being around them!- and laid down on the table.

She saw the flows Dagdara wove, back and forth between the Myrddraal until the net was pulsing with power. Then the thin flows of Earth, Water and Fire reached out towards her, slower than Mesaana's had been, she had to trust Dagdara to be careful. A moment later there was a short prickling, then the net settled into her from above. She took a sharp breath as she felt the Great Lord's essence in every part of her body, ecstasy as she had rarely felt. The strong sensation faded quickly, but a trickle remained, setting deep inside her. It reminded her vaguely of the Warder bond. Not that she could feel the actual emotions of the Great Lord, that would overwhelm her, but there was a trace of awareness.

With that, Dagdara released the flows, as she was already bound by the other Oaths, and Sheriam smiled as she got up. She felt invigorated by the essence of the Great Lord, and the weave was surprisingly painless, seeing how it had been invented by Semirhage. Perhaps the Chosen had considered it enough to watch the horror of those who did not come voluntarily, or maybe Semirhage had added additional weaves that Mesaana left out, like she was said to have done while Healing.

"Who goes next?" she asked.

Moria came forward, looking less apprehensive now that she had gone first. Sheriam rejoined the circle as soon as Moria let go of the link, and after a glance around, took the lead.

Being part of a circle this size and strength was already a rare pleasure, leading one was even more rare. Sheriam wove the flows of the turning, then regretfully passed on control of the circle to Sedore, as Dagdara took Moria's place on the table. In a way she envied the others, while they could do the turning and work in the circles, she would most often have to remain at the Tower, like she had earlier that day.

After the sixth turning, Velina's, Mesaana switched out the Myrddraal, using Saidar to cast a shadow for the Fades to travel through. The Myrddraal, visibly fatigued, left and fresh ones took their place.

"Do not use the Myrddraal for more than six circles without giving them time to rest," Mesaana cautioned, even as she opened a gateway and showed them where the Myrddraal came from. "Any Black can open the gateway and request a group, but do not go nosing around among their barracks. Also, do not open a gateway to their barracks directly from the Tower until either Sheriam or I have let you know everyone who can read residue is secured, including Accepted and novices who have that Talent."

Nods all around, after which the turning resumed.

Even though the first time weaving was slow, they were done in time to have about half a night sleep left. Sheriam had little to say to brief Carlinya, instead left her in the care of the others who would be doing the turning the next few days. She would be useful there.