Chapter 9
The Tremalking Splice
Mazrim Taim was stark raving mad.
Whether from the taint on saidin—whatever madness a man suffered before al'Thor cleansed the male half of the True Source would surely still exist—or simply from a diseased mind, Adelorna was certain Mazrim Taim was insane. It was the only explanation for the demands he made, for the promises he wanted from her and the other Ajah Heads in return for his assistance in bringing Elaida to justice. No sane person would have believed such demands would be met, much less have had the gall to make them in the first place. Had it not been such a grave matter, Adelorna would have laughed in the fool's face. Instead, she chose diplomacy; they needed to make this deal and end the Tower split once and for all. That did not mean, however, that Taim would get what he wanted.
"Some of what you ask for might be workable," she finally said once she found her voice again. "But not all. You must realize you ask too much."
A smug smile played on the Saldaean man's lips. "Perhaps. I believe I might be able to offer you something more, though." He turned his head and nodded to the Asha'man who was standing guard by the door that led from the back room of the inn into the alleyway. "Bring her in."
Nodding, the guard slipped out the door only to return a second later with a girl in tow. No, not a girl.
Adelorna's eyes narrowed slightly when she recognized the Green sister. Not long raised to the shawl, Alarra had always had a natural confidence about her, most likely due to her noble upbringing. She had always drawn Adelorna's attention when she was an Accepted, not for her mediocre strength in the One Power, but for her composure. Little rattled her. The young woman had truly made a good Green. At the moment, however, she seemed to be having problems walking.
Raising an eyebrow at Taim was enough to prompt him to inform her, "The girl is difficult, more difficult than the others. We had to physically bind her, as well as block her from the True Source." He snorted disdainfully. "Of course, she does have her uses. Unlike Mishraile and myself, who can merely tell you what we saw at Dumai's Wells, Alarra can give a firsthand account as to Elaida's orders regarding al'Thor. The ones she failed to share with the rest of your lot." The fact that he called the Dragon Reborn by his last name, and with little respect, did not escape Adelorna's notice. Now was not the time to address it, however. "She also carries copies of the orders, though she has done something to ward them. I feared if I tried to break the ward, the papers would prove useless. But perhaps she will prove more cooperative for you."
So this was what he was holding back, why he was convinced he could extort whatever he wished from the White Tower. The word of an Aes Sedai, and copies of orders, would definitely carry more weight at the Tower than the word of two Asha'man. It could be just what they needed to depose Elaida. If it were true, at least.
Her gaze went to Alarra. "Does he speak the truth? Did you see Elaida's orders, the ones that gave the embassy permission to torture the boy? And what of the orders to kill every man at the Black Tower? Do you actually have a copy of those orders, as well?"
The woman's slight nod was all that was needed. Alarra had never been one for histrionics, even when the situation called for it. "I suspected there was more to this assignment than what we were told, so before we left for the Black Tower, I…" Licking her lips Alarra smiled slightly before finishing, "I visited Elaida's office and searched for a copy of the orders Toveine was given, which I learned of, anyway, once we had neared the Black Tower. Along with the copy of Toveine's orders, I found this." Without pause, she closed the distance between herself and Adelorna, then pulled a scroll from her belt pouch and placed it on the table. After a moment, she pulled yet another scroll from her belt pouch, placing it on the table next to the first.
At her side, Serancha bristled, but Adelorna calmly took the scrolls without a word. She knew Alarra well enough to know how she had managed such subterfuge. As a girl, she had always excelled at getting into places undetected. It was not a skill many Greens possessed, and this was not the first time it had proven useful for the Green Ajah. "The orders?" she asked quietly.
Alarra glanced to Taim and the other Asha'man, her eyes narrowing. Adelorna understood her hesitation. Speaking of Tower business in front of anyone was against custom, if not Tower law itself; speaking of Tower business in front of men—men who could channel, no less—was madness. Yet, there was little choice. And these men already knew most of what Alarra would say. After several silent moments passed, Alarra seemed to realize that truth as well. "Elaida ordered the sisters to break al'Thor so he would be ready to swear fealty to her. Personally. She wanted him completely docile and told the 'embassy' she sent to him to do whatever was necessary to complete that task, even if it meant using unorthodox methods. Particularly force." The girl let out a sad sigh and gestured toward the scroll. "She stressed that it would not be breaking Tower law since the very lives of Sisters were at stake." She paused. "The other orders, the ones regarding our visit to the Black Tower, were to kill every man there. Whether or not he could channel."
It took all of Adelorna's effort not to growl. For some time, she had believed Elaida to merely be a misguided fool. Unfortunately, that description did not even begin to cover Elaida's idiocy. "The ward?"
Alarra smiled slightly, clearly understanding the unspoken question. "The one you taught me."
Stuffing the scrolls into her belt pouch, Adelorna turned to Taim. "We can now discuss your newest requests. I am sure we will find—"
The door that led to the alley outside exploded inward, not only stopping Adelorna's words but also causing her to drop behind the table for cover. Every woman in the room, every one who was capable, grasped saidar so she could defend herself if need be. But not one of them was prepared for what happened next.
"Protect the M'Hael!" someone yelled as all the men in the room launched into action.
Everything happened in an instant. By the time Adelorna looked up from behind the table, Taim and all the men who accompanied him, save one—one of the guards, a lone man crumpled lifelessly on the floor—were jumping through a hole that suddenly appeared in the middle of the room. A gateway. She already knew the Asha'man had rediscovered Traveling, yet a part of her had hoped it to be no more than a rumor; still another part was filled with envy. Either way, seeing it with her own two eyes was quite different than merely hearing tales.
Adelorna's gaze went to the only man left in the now partially demolished room, the man whose arrival had caused the commotion. She would have known him anywhere, though she had never laid eyes on him before. Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, in all his glory, was wielding Callandor. Alone.
Did the fool boy not know of the problems with the sword that was not a sword? It was not safe for him!
As the gateway closed, her attention was diverted briefly by the sound of something bouncing across the floor. That very something came to an abrupt halt at her feet. Leaning down, she picked it up and turned it over in her hand before rising to her feet. The statue was not very large, but something told her it was important, especially given that it had apparently come from one of the men as they were rushing through their gateway. It was an odd little statue, in the shape of a fat man.
"Forgive the intrusion, Adelorna," al'Thor began with a slight inclination of his head, as though he had already met her. "I sought the traitor, Taim, yet it appears he has eluded me. Despite my better judgment, I was warned the agreement to be forged in this room is far more important than taking the life of an adversary, even one as duplicitous as Mazrim Taim." He paused, that hawk-like gray gaze of his leaving her feeling as though it were piercing her very soul. "Know this, Taim's voice is not my own. Still, I am here to forge an agreement with you and, through you, the White Tower itself."
That the boy named Taim a traitor was unsurprising. With a man like Taim, it was no small wonder the boy found him to be a threat. She did have to wonder, though, what had taken him so long to reach the obvious conclusion.
"Before we negotiate a treaty, I would first like you to tell me how you plan to deal with the two competing Amyrlins." The question was directed at her, as though he had assumed she was the leader of this meeting. It was not far from the truth. But how did he know that? "I assume you mean to oust Elaida, with just cause. What of the other Amyrlin? Will she be the one to lead the united Tower?"
The other Ajah heads were on edge and still holding saidar, but when she gestured slightly to them and released saidar herself, they all followed her example, even if it was somewhat reluctantly. It was clear that al'Thor was on edge, but this was an opportunity she could not let slip away. They had all waited too long to have a chance to talk to him, to deal with him, for her to refuse. It was definitely not the way she had planned it. Well, the Wheel weaved as it willed.
"Yes, Elaida will be deposed," Adelorna declared bluntly, not bothering to behave as though it were not already planned. She settled back into her chair, never taking her gaze from the boy. "We were here to get information to help that along. She is incompetent and refuses to listen to reason. Worse, with her attack on you and the Black Tower, she has broken many Tower laws. Once she is deposed, she will be stilled, birched, and sent to a work farm to live out the rest of her days."
The man's face was as emotionless as stone, even when given such knowledge. Part of the prophecies came to mind while facing him, that the stone had to learn laughter and tears. She prayed that would happen soon.
Clearing her throat, she continued, "As for the child, Egwene al'Vere, she will be put in Accepted white. She is not an Aes Sedai, and she is guilty of many of the breaches of custom of which Elaida is guilty. My eyes and ears have reported just how great her desire for power and control is. That does not mean, however, that we believe she is lost to us. She simply requires more training and maturity before she will be ready for the shawl. She is talented and that talent can be used in the coming battles if she learns to put it to good use, but, for now, she is too arrogant. She must be taught humility." Her expression softened, if only a bit. "I realize she is your childhood friend, but I can not, I will not, allow that to affect what must be done. If she is to be Aes Sedai, then she must face the consequences for her actions. It is that simple."
Moments ticked by as the boy the Pattern had chosen to defend it sat in silence. Callandor glowed in his grasp, bringing light into the now dimly lit room, yet his gaze looked past it. To what, Adelorna was not certain. What she would have given to glimpse into the boy's mind…
A slow smile came to the boy's lips as he stepped over the corpse on the floor, causing her curiosity to grow. The screech of two heavy chairs being dragged across the floor broke the moment and drew her attention from the boy. Though the chairs seemed to move of their own will, she knew it was the boy's doing. The work of saidin. At her side, Suana shuddered; Adelorna showed no reaction, however. If the Tower was to effectively handle this boy, as well as the rest of the Asha'man, Aes Sedai could not flinch every time they witnessed a man channeling.
That gray gaze drifted over each woman there, and though the young man had affected a superior, if somewhat bored demeanor, Adelorna had no doubt he had noticed Suana's reaction. Only a flicker of amusement—or was it wariness?—flashed in his eyes before he lazily eased himself into one of the chairs he had moved, propping his feet up on the other as though it were a footstool.
"I appreciate your candor…Mother," Rand al'Thor announced dryly after dramatically clearing his throat. Though the other Ajah Heads stirred at the boy's apparent mistake, Adelorna merely regarded him with an appraising gaze. He was astute, she would give him that. He also spoke to her, and the others, as though he were speaking to those who were equal to him. The behavior conflicted greatly with the stories she had heard; if the boy feared Aes Sedai, why would he intentionally provoke them? No one else dared speak to an Aes Sedai as such. Even kings and queens treaded lightly when dealing with a sister. For good reason. "Tell me of the agreement you sought with Taim, and perhaps we can salvage a bit from the gross breach of authority on his part." He paused, jaw tightening as though he were struggling with some sort of internal conflict, then gestured toward the statue of the fat man she still held, "I am certain our wants are mutual. Yet as a token of your intent, I ask you return what belongs to me."
Despite the lightheadedness she suddenly felt, she tossed the statue to him without a thought. He caught it midair, regarding her with a gaze that held no emotion. She had no doubt she had just been caught in his ta'veren swirl. He was thought to be a stronger ta'veren than even Hawkwing himself. Had Adelorna doubted it before, she certainly now believed the claim to be true. That the statue was an angreal—or ter'angreal—was quite apparent now; one for men, of course, or the boy would not have been so determined to get his hands on it. Normally, she never would have given it to him. The White Tower had always laid claim to all ter'angreal, angreal, and sa'angreal, just as they laid claim to all channelers, yet somehow this young man had acquired at least two on his own. It made Adelorna wonder just how many of the Tower's treasures were attuned to saidin. With Tarmon Gai'don looming over the horizon, it would be wise to find out. The only way to defeat the Shadow was to put weapons in the hands of those who could be trusted to wield them. Trust. Therein lay the problem.
She cleared her throat, finally finding her voice to tell the boy the information he sought. "First, Elaida's declaration that you are a ward of the White Tower will be rescinded. We do not seek to control you, though we do wish to offer our guidance and support." His jaw tightened, if only a bit. Clearly her choice of words did not sway him. She should have known—with an Aes Sedai, it did not take long for anyone to realize that guidance and control were one and the same. Regardless, she refused to stop now.
"You will need it in the coming days, just as the world needs you." She kept her tone calm. Best for all of them that he not realize she was attempting to soothe his ego. Young men's egos were such fragile things. "Second, we will implement a formal alliance with the Black Tower." If she had expected him to show any reaction to that, she would have been disappointed. Luckily, she had no such foolish expectations. "Tower law will be amended regarding male channelers. No longer will we hunt them as we have done since the Breaking. No longer will they be tried and gentled. No longer will it be a criminal offense for a man to be able channel." That promise did get a reaction, albeit a small one. It was not much, but any progress was welcome. "Taim had his own demands. Some interesting ones, but we had not yet decided on those."
The boy said nothing, though something in his gray gaze flickered at the mention of Taim. He quickly caught hold of himself, fixing her with a stare. Waiting. There was no need for him to state his thoughts—what she was offering was not enough. But how much more did he want? How much more was she willing to give?
Taking a deep breath, Adelorna gestured toward Lemai, Alarra, and Chloe, the three sisters Taim and his men had brought with him. The three were huddled near the wall, where they had retreated when al'Thor arrived. "They were to be bargaining chips. To oust Elaida once and for all, we need proof of her blunders, including her attack on you." For a moment, her tone softened and the normal Aes Sedai coolness was replaced by a small amount of warmth. "On behalf of the Tower, I apologize for what happened to you. When we agreed to send an embassy, we did not know Elaida's true intentions. The plan she presented to the Hall centered on using gold to lure you." Her apology caused another flicker in those gray eyes, this time of surprise. An Aes Sedai never apologized, she knew; it was not the way of the White Tower. If there was ever a time to break Tower custom, it was now. And the boy did deserve an apology for what he had suffered.
Her gaze did not waver, but she could not stop the sad sigh that escaped her. "I realize that does not excuse the sisters who followed her order, and if my sources are correct, I understand those sisters are now under your control. I take no issue with that." For now. Once this boy was firmly under her guidance, she would see to it those sisters were freed. No Aes Sedai should be on the wrong side of a bond, no matter the circumstances. "However, I do need these three to come with me, if only temporarily. The three were bonded by Asha'man during the attack on the Black Tower—another of Elaida's mistakes—and they have information we need. Afterward we can discuss—"
"Are any of you bonded to Taim or his men?" al'Thor interrupted coldly, looking away from Adelorna to the three sisters in question. After a slight hesitation, Lemai nodded. "Who?"
"Mishraile," the Red spat, her voice filled with hatred. "He is Taim's second in command. Chloe and Alarra were bonded by two of the others." She inhaled sharply. "Earlier today, Taim and his men killed the men who had originally bonded us. We were too weak to fight after the bonds snapped. So we were bonded yet again."
At Adelorna's side, Suana gasped. So the bonds had snapped. It was a wonder the three women survived it. In her many years as a Green, she had seen what happened to Warders whose Aes Sedai died, how they nearly went insane with grief and fell into a depression so deep that they had no will to survive. Was it different when the one who was bonded could channel as well? For the first time since she had arrived at the meeting, she truly looked at the three women Taim had brought with him to the meeting. There was death in their gazes. Pain. Whether it was equal to or less than what an Aes Sedai's Warder felt when his mistress passed, she could not say. Even if it was, Adelorna had trouble feeling sympathy for any of the three women. Perhaps it was apt punishment for their foolishness.
Looking back to Rand, Adelorna drew in a deep yet silent breath. She knew, without asking, what he was thinking. In his shoes, she would have likely have come to the same conclusion. When she spoke, she kept her tone calm, "With their bonds, they can lead you to Taim's men and, most likely Taim himself. But first I need them to give witness to Elaida's orders and actions. When that is done, I can send them to you, along with a formal agreement that includes all I have offered thus far." She paused. "So, I suppose the question is, are those terms acceptable to you?"
A formidable silence fell over the room as she awaited his response. She watched him closely, not surprised that his gaze grew even colder. Had she been a lesser woman, she would have shivered. Every muscle in the boy's face tightened visibly, as though he were waging some sort of internal war. Callandor brightened. Dimmed. Brightened again. She reached for, but did not embrace, saidar. Though she did not wish to alarm him by grasping the True Source, she wanted to be ready for whatever came.
For several moments, the sword continued to flicker. Did he not have full control of saidin? Had the taint already taken him? Her mind searched for possibilities, but when Callandor suddenly ceased glowing, and the boy slumped into the chair as though he were completely exhausted, she decided to let the matter rest. The last thing they needed was for him to go mad before he made his journey to Shayol Ghul. The possibility was not one she wished to consider.
The boy let out a small groan, staring at Callandor for a moment before peering sluggishly about the room. He looked weak, something quite likely brought about from channeling too much. With no one to train him, how could he even know? She may not be able to teach him how to wield saidin, but there was some knowledge she could impart to him. Knowledge that could help him. All of them.
"If you need Healing, we can help you," she offered smoothly. "But when you channel for too long, or too much, it can cause exhaustion and…" She trailed off when a man entered through what was left of the door that led to the alleyway. The man, Logain Ablar, was all too familiar to Adelorna, though he had been a pathetic sight the last she had last seen him at the White Tower. After being gentled, it was understandable. No more did he seem a sad sight, however. Quite the opposite. As he stepped confidently into the room, his broad shoulders were squared and his strong chin was held high. He looked ready for anything, a wolf hunting its prey. As his gaze fell on al'Thor, though, he relaxed a bit. Only a bit.
Behind him followed a girl in clothes that could only be described as scandalous. The tight black leather trousers hugged her form, as did the leather top. Never had Adelorna seen anything like it! That some of the women in Tar Valon had taken up wearing tight breeches with long jackets was bad enough, but this was worse. So distracted was she by the girl's attire, it took her a moment to notice her face. Light, she looked familiar. Where had she…Adelorna's thoughts abandoned her at once when she realized who the girl resembled.
Many would've been fooled, believing the girl to be Nynaeve al'Meara—if they could get past her choice of dress!—but if that was, indeed, who the girl was attempting to emulate, she was doing a poor job of it. Not only would the child, Nynaeve, never be caught in such clothing, the girl's long, curly black hair hung loose, nearly to her waist, instead of being neatly braided as Nynaeve's always was. More importantly, and perhaps far more disturbing, was what Adelorna felt from the girl. She was stronger in the One Power than any at the Tower. Stronger than Nynaeve al'Meara. Stronger than she and any two of the other three Ajah Heads with her would be if they added their strengths. Who was this girl?
In an instant, Adelorna jerked her gaze back to al'Thor, just in time to see his slight smile. The girl smiled back, her big blue eyes sparkling with adoration. Without a word, she took a place at the right side of his chair while Logain moved behind her.
"You may take one of these three women," the boy announced coldly. Adelorna looked back to him and nearly gave herself a shake. "Whichever you choose. However, Taim is a threat that needs to be removed, and I cannot subjugate that need to yours."
Staring at the three Aes Sedai as though they were his prisoners, he continued, "If the one you choose does not provide the answers you seek, simply return her to me and I will provide another." Suana gasped so loudly that the sound echoed in the room, but al'Thor never paused. "Once Taim is destroyed, all three of them may return to the Tower."
"I will take Alarra," Adelorna stated bluntly, ignoring Rand's 'offer' of trading one sister for another. If this boy thought he could make her quiver in his presence by treating sisters as his possessions, he had quite a bit to learn. She would be more than happy to teach him what Cadsuane had not, though something kept her from putting him in his place. The fact remained that they needed him more than he needed them, so she could not afford to push too hard too quickly. "I do expect, however, that the other two be returned, in good health, to the White Tower once they lead you to Taim." She chose her words carefully, something that he clearly noticed.
"Agreed. Your request is reasonable." He paused for a moment, glancing up at the black-haired girl before turning his gaze back to Adelorna. "I have three other items to add to our agreement. First, any sisters residing at the Black Tower, whether bond-holder or bonded, will be given a choice—swear fealty to the Lord Dragon, or face banishment. They may certainly return to the White Tower if you will have them. It matters not to me where they go, as long as it is away from the Black Tower."
One corner of Adelorna's mouth curled up slightly. So the only Aes Sedai the boy trusted near him were those who had sworn fealty to him? He would have a long wait for any other Aes Sedai to swear to him; though she was perfectly willing to make some concessions to him, the White Tower would never bend knee to him. What's more, she was certain at least some of the Aes Sedai he chose to have near him had not sworn fealty. "Your terms regarding the sisters who have been bonded, as well as those who have bonded your Asha'man, are acceptable. I might remind you, though, that your...advisor...and those with her have not sworn fealty to you and they never will."
Had she not been watching the boy so closely, she might have missed the way his jaw tightened when she made reference to Cadsuane Melaidhrin. The muscle in his right cheek twitched twice before he drew in a silent breath; by the time he released it, he was once again as emotionless as a stone. His reaction was not entirely surprising—Cadsuane treated most everyone like little more than foolish children, and this boy seemed to be asking for such treatment. Usually, Cadsuane managed to break everyone to her will, to somehow push them into voluntarily following her lead without question; unfortunately, it seemed the legendary Green sister had not managed to completely break Rand al'Thor. Yet. Regardless, if just the mention of Cadsuane caused such a noticeable reaction in an otherwise unresponsive boy, then she had certainly made an impression. Adelorna made a mental note of his reaction and vowed to find out later just what had happened between the boy and the woman.
"And," Adelorna continued, keeping her gaze steady, "according to the reports I've seen, the only Aes Sedai to have bonded your men are those close to Cadsuane. So, when you send those women back to the White Tower, keep in mind that their Asha'man Warders will most likely return with them. I know no sister who would allow it any other way."
"Of course not," the dark-haired girl growled softly, "if the bloody women don't have their little slaves under their thumbs at all times, the men might grow brains or backbones and decide to have their bonds removed."
Taken aback, Adelorna stared at the girl. There was fire in her eyes. Anger. Those icy blue eyes of hers challenged anyone to disagree with her obvious disdain for the relationship between Aes Sedai and Warder. That she was so vocal about her feelings—so unconcerned with angering a room full of Aes Sedai—made Adelorna clench her jaw. There was absolutely no fear in the girl's eyes, no wariness.
The boy cleared his throat, drawing Adelorna's attention back to him. Though he seemed to be fighting it, one corner of his mouth curled up a tiny bit. It was the mirth in his eyes that gave way to his feelings, however. The girl had amused him. But did he share her distaste for the bond? The answer to that question came only a brief moment later when the boy spoke coldly, "There was a time when the Tower did not condone the forced bonding of Warder to Sister, or the use of Compulsion, no matter the form. At least one of the sisters who have bonded an Asha'man is guilty of those crimes. This is the foulest form of rape, for it is a violation of these men's very souls. By right, I could have these women stilled or put to death for such atrocities."
For the first time since al'Thor had arrived, Adelorna felt her muscles tense. That he would dare accuse Aes Sedai of bonding men by force—something that had been against custom for many years now—angered her more than she cared to admit, as did his accusation that sisters had used Compulsion on the Asha'man they had bonded. And did he truly believe he had the right to still or execute a sister? She would quickly set him straight! But, as she opened her mouth, he continued, "So to address your concerns, any man who is bonded will be afforded the same dignity as the women and will be allowed to stay, provided he can prove his loyalties lay first with me, and the Black Tower, rather than the woman who bonded him; however, if a way can be found to remove the bond safely, the men will also be offered that choice. Should they choose to leave, their Asha'man status will be revoked, and their ties with the Black Tower severed. The Asha'man are weapons for the coming war. One forced to suffer madness caused by a snapped bond is less than useless in battle."
"That's easy enough to do," the dark-haired girl announced, shrugging slightly when all eyes turned to her. "All you need is one of the bonded pair and the bond can be removed in mere moments, without any harm to either party."
"You are wrong, child," Ferane announced haughtily, jerking the white shawl more tightly around her shoulders. "Only the one who initiated the bond can remove it and the Warder must be present. Your information is dreadfully incorrect."
"Actually, child, you're the one who doesn't know your backside from a hole in the ground." Before anyone had a chance to react to that insult—though Adelorna swore she heard Logain chuckle—the girl embraced saidar and began to channel. The bright glow around her was so distracting that Adelorna scarcely noticed her weaves. It did not help that the girl weaved as quickly as lightning struck. And her hands never moved. The only thing Adelorna could see, other than the fact that she had used a weave of all five powers, followed by another weave of pure Spirit, was that she had channeled at Alarra. In the time it took to blink, the glow disappeared.
"How did you… That's not possible!" The amazement in Alarra's voice was palpable, but so was the fear. Light, had she really done it? Any Green would fear this ability; though this weave could give freedom to the sisters bonded by the Asha'man, it also meant that men who were bonded could be freed. More importantly, and perhaps more frighteningly, it meant that bonding Asha'man would not solve the problem of how to control the men. If a bond could be so easily removed, no bond was safe. Not unless a Sister kept her Warder with her at all times. This was troubling. The weave presented more problems than it solved. Unless they could alter the bond somehow…
"The bond is actually gone?" Ferane demanded. Adelorna had both Ferane and Alarra in her field of vision, so she missed neither Alarra's nod nor Ferane's sudden paleness at the news. "Any ill effects?"
"No. It's just…gone."
"Guess you learn something new every day, don't you?" the girl at al'Thor's side asked with a superior smirk.
Adelorna watched the entire scene unfurl before her, taking in every reaction: the girl's defiant glare, al'Thor's pensive expression as he considered the meaning of what she had done, the way the other Ajah Heads dissolved into fits of whispering, the alarm on Alarra's normally cool features, and, finally, Logain's frown.
"Elnore," the false Dragon began, "we need them to find Taim." His reprimanding tone earned him an offended look from the girl. Elnore. At least there was finally a name to go with the face.
"I removed the bond for Alarra since she's returning with them to the White Tower." Elnore gave a sheepish shrug, leaving Adelorna feeling as though she had been struck with a whip. How did the girl know enough to recognize Alarra? "I can do the same for the others once they help us find Taim." That promise brought hopeful looks from the other two prisoners, but now was not the time to worry about such things. This meeting was quickly dissolving into a menagerie sideshow; if something wasn't done to bring the focus back where it needed to be—on working out a deal with the boy—then Adelorna feared she would quickly lose the small amount of control she had.
Loudly clearing her throat, Adelorna silenced the other sisters. "Very well. I believe we may move on to your second request."
The boy merely nodded, turning his icy gaze back to her. "A free flow of information between the Towers will go a long way towards fortifying this pact. Logain Ablar, the new M'Hael, will appoint an Asha'man to reside at the White Tower as an emissary. He will, of course, be treated as an honored guest while he is there." He paused, smiling slightly, though the smile never reached his eyes. "And he will have access to the Amyrlin's eyes and ears."
Access to the Amyrlin's eyes and ears? Adelorna felt her jaw clench, rage welling up at the temerity of this boy. It took effort to fight it and maintain her composure. It was instinct to resist such a request, but in reality it made sense with the coming battle, especially since it would have to work both ways. "I agree that a free flow of information is crucial to this alliance. Therefore, I will send a sister of my choosing to the Black Tower"—one who was not subservient to this boy!—"to serve the same purpose that your Asha'man will at the White Tower. The...M'Hael...can put her in touch with all of the Black Tower's informants as well as giving her any information he receives."
For the first time since he had arrived at The Tremalking Splice, Rand al'Thor smiled genuinely. Adelorna knew, before he ever spoke, that she would not like what he had to say. "There is no need to send a sister to the Black Tower. Nynaeve al'Meara of the Yellow Ajah has my ear and my full confidence. She knows what I know, and I am quite certain this is reflected in her reports to the Tower."
Adelorna could have sworn she heard Jesse growl, which was an unusual response from the head of the Brown Ajah. Adelorna managed to swallow her own growl, though she did have to force her jaw to unclench before she ground her teeth to dust. The girl, Nynaeve, had never filed a report to the White Tower, yet she could hardly acknowledge that fact here and now.
"That girl is not Nynaeve al'Meara!"
Adelorna turned her gaze in time to see Ferane pointing accusingly at Elnore. Had she not listened when the girl's name was spoken? Sometimes the White sister's fierce temper got the better of her and clouded her judgment. It was typical of Domani women, but it was not something they needed while attempting to negotiate with a ta'veren.
"Of course she isn't," the boy responded with a very slight smile. "However, at this very moment, Nynaeve is on a critical assignment with my…advisor. I am certain this will all be outlined in Nynaeve's next missive to the Tower." Both he and Elnore looked as though they were fighting smiles, likely because they were well aware of the corner they had backed Adelorna and the others into; if Adelorna admitted they had received no information from Nynaeve, she would look a fool. "I believe that brings us to our final bargaining point. The White Tower possesses an artifact which I require. Possession of the Horn of Valere will be transferred from the White Tower to the Black Tower. I appreciate that this is a great deal to ask, yet the coming war will require sacrifices from all to save the very world. Do we have a deal?"
"It is preposterous!" Serancha snapped. "You must be mad! You cannot possibly..."
Adelorna calmly raised one hand to halt the Gray's objections. Snapping at this boy would accomplish nothing, even when he was making such ludicrous demands. The only way to handle him was with a cool head and a firm hand. There was only one problem. She had no idea where the Horn had been stored in the White Tower, much less if it was even there. That, however, did not stop her from using it as a bargaining chip. "The Horn of Valere. A very powerful item, indeed. And now it can only be used by the one who has invoked its power." A small smile played on her lips but never met her eyes. "As long as he draws breath, that is." Her veiled threat had the desired effect—both al'Thor and the girl looked ready to do murder—but she gave no one else a chance to speak before she continued, "If we are to give such a powerful item to you, then we must ask for an equally powerful item." She paused only a moment before giving her own demand. "In return for the horn, we want Callandor."
A collective gasp filled the air. When al'Thor spoke, his voice was as sharp as a blade. "Were anything to happen to the hornblower's breath, I would take that as an attack on my person and respond accordingly." He paused a long moment, inspecting the crystal blade he still held. "A nearly perfect weapon but for its single flaw. I appreciate your desire to protect me, yet this is the Dragon's blade." As he met Adelorna's gaze with a glint in his eyes, he offered a shocking revelation, "There is a fix for it. One of your very sisters hinted to me of its existence. I would offer you, Adelorna Sedai, guardianship of it yet I can offer more in its stead. Within the Black Tower, I understand there are Asha'man who have shown exceptional promise in the study of ter'angreal. Yet solving the puzzle of Callandor may require collaboration between the two Towers. The greatest accomplishments of ages past were performed when men and women worked together."
Adelorna had no doubt the boy was trying to snare them, yet she found herself moistening her lips with her tongue at the prospect he was offering. The only thing that would quell her rising interest was more information. How would this offer of his be possible after his demands that any sister who resided at the Black Tower must swear fealty to him? Would he only allow those sisters to assist in this experiment? Under the pretense of dampening her parched throat, she hefted a goblet of wine from the table. It was at that moment that al'Thor chose to continue his line of thought.
"Of course," he said, drawing in a deep breath, "it may cause friction if these visiting sisters took up residence at the Black Tower. Their status as guests would need to be clear. But then they would need a way to travel between the two Towers. For that reason, Adelorna Sedai, I could also offer you the secret of forming gateways."
The wine caught in Adelorna's throat, nearly causing her to choke. She was well aware that he knew how to Travel, something that had not been done since before the Breaking, but how in the name of the Light did he plan to teach them?
As if reading her mind, Serancha snapped, "How can you teach a woman to Travel? It is simply not possible! Perhaps the rest of what you promise is as false as that claim!"
The boy turned his attention to the Gray sister and replied evenly, "I cannot teach a woman to form a gateway anymore that I could teach a river to sing." He paused a moment before continuing, "I cannot; however, Elnore sur al'Amon can."
Elnore sur al'Amon? Adelorna nearly dropped her goblet when the boy spoke the girl's full name. Even in that moment of complete shock—the name translated to 'daughter of the dragon' in the Old Tongue!—Adelorna couldn't miss the girl's giggle. Even al'Thor looked ready to break into a smile, though he was clearly fighting it. Daughter of the Dragon, indeed. Who was this child? Perhaps there was a way to attain the answer to that question…
"Do you know how to make a Gateway, Elnore?" Adelorna asked, addressing the girl directly for the first time since she and Logain had arrived.
Elnore nodded. "And I will happily show you...once you have agreed to Ran"—she stopped abruptly to correct herself—"the Lord Dragon's terms."
Adelorna nearly smiled. This would prove too easy; by the time she discovered where the Horn of Valere had been hidden, she would have this boy, as well as the Asha'man and this girl, well in hand.
"We have no way of knowing if you even know such a weave," Ferane said with a snort, her tone as arrogant as any Red's could have been. Adelorna made no attempt to calm the White sister, however. Instead, she wanted to see how the girl would react.
"Well, I've already shown you one weave you didn't know and insisted was not even possible," Elnore pointed out with a condescending smile of her own, "but if you need proof..." She trailed off, the intense glow of saidar enveloping her. In an instant she weaved a thin curtain of Spirit that snapped together in a vertical line. That vertical line became a slash of silvery blue light, which instantly turned into a small hole in the air. The girl stuck her arm though and…
Ferane screamed as a hand slid over her shoulder and grasped the jug of wine that sat in front of her on the table. Rand and Logain laughed—out loud—when Elnore pulled the jug of wine back through the hole in the air. The gateway was gone as quickly as it had come, however, and the girl had woven so quickly that no one could have possibly kept up with her. Ignoring Ferane's angry whispers, Adelorna asked the girl, "I assume you will weave slowly enough for us to learn it once a deal has been struck?"
Elnore nodded. "Of course."
With a smile, Adelorna regarded the child who had demonstrated knowledge and training women in the White Tower had dismissed as impossible or lost. She had heard that the rebels had learned to Travel, but had not yet been able to find anyone who could show her the weave. It was how this girl had obtained that training that Adelorna wished to know. More importantly, she wished to have more information on the boy, and this girl would give her the answers she sought. One way or another. "I have one more condition, then, but this one is not for the Lord Dragon to decide." Her pleasant demeanor did not change, even when faced with Elnore's suspicious glare. "I would like a chance to speak to you...Elnore sur al'Amon. Alone." Her tone made it clear she did not believe it was Elnore's true name. That was yet another bit of information Adelorna wanted—why were they lying about this child's name? "Your display of skill today has been impressive and I feel there is much we have to discuss."
The girl frowned, letting out a long breath. The idea of being close to Aes Sedai was something that obviously did not set well with her, but Adelorna knew the girl would agree. She clearly wanted al'Thor to get everything he wanted and if this was the only way to do it… "I will meet with you, on Black Tower grounds. Now do you agree to his terms?"
Adelorna's gaze drifted to Rand, who was watching her with a steady gaze. He did not seem the least bit surprised that Elnore had agreed to her request. This was not the best deal she could have hoped for, but Adelorna would work with it. They all would. Sooner or later, though, they would set things right. Drawing in a silent breath, she gave her answer: "We have a deal, Lord Dragon."