AN: Is anyone still reading this? I anticipate one more (shorter) chapter to finish off KOD and depending on feedback, will consider continuing from there. There is a poll up on my profile page if you don't care to review. You just have to click three buttons
Disclaimer: Surprisingly, I have not suddenly come into ownership of the rights to WOT. Plot, characters, and the dialogue at the end come from KOD 730-734.
What the Band Does Best
What followed the ambush was later a rather hazy recollection that left Tuon thinking fondly of the Tarasin Palace and wishing for the leisurely pace of Luca's menagerie. She had thought they moved fast before, getting into position for the ambush. She was swiftly disabused of that notion.
They rode hard and fast, or as fast as was safe in the dark. Like any military body, every man dismounted to trot beside his mount at intervals. Even Toy, and old Merrilin, and fat Vanin. She kept her eyes off of the latter. It was harder to keep her eyes off Toy, who acted much as if these were everyday affairs.
Scouts left and returned frequently, but she was not close enough to hear what they said. Much of the time they said little, merely giving gestures to indicate they had found nothing.
It had been hours of constant running and walking before they met up with the other half of their contingent. There were grins and waves as the two forces merged. Toy slowed his mount to a walk in order to converse with whoever had led the others. Then he turned in his saddle and swept his gaze over the column. Tuon managed not to react when his eyes rested briefly on her. She was grateful that she couldn't see the look in them in the dark.
"A short break, only. Vanin found a stream close by." His comment wasn't loud, seemingly a response to a question, but his voice carried on the still night air. "We'll move on once the horses are watered."
It took surprisingly little time to water two thousand horses. Tuon found herself wishing they could rest a little more, but she could hardly say so. She was not a fragile doll and luxury was not an option at the moment. At least she had had plenty of practice riding lately, so she was not unduly sore.
More hours of riding followed that far too short break. Eventually they paused again. Around her, men leaned against their horses or sprawled on the ground, taking full advantage of the halt. Being a High Lady, such behavior was not really feasible for Tuon. Not that she would have anyway: it was extremely unprofessional. Where was their pride?
"I wonder how far he intends to push, tonight. He cannot possibly think we were followed," she murmured to Selucia wearily.
Her faithful shadow fanned herself with one hand. "No one would believe we could come so far, so fast, and in the dark."
A bird's call rang out, slightly off. A moment later, another followed. Glancing over curiously, Tuon spotted several men approaching, leading horses. At least one looked familiar, though it was hard to tell in the dark.
"Carlomin, you made it. I was starting to wonder if you had been delayed."
"No, Lord Mat."
"Did you lose any?"
"Fortunately not."
"Good then. How long until your men are ready to move?"
"A quarter of an hour, more if we can spare it. We're going to have to keep moving once we hit them, and it won't take long before the men and horses become exhausted." Carlomin spoke blandly, without condescension or overt subservience. It was not how Tuon permitted her underlings to speak to her, but this was not the time to interrupt.
"I bloody well know that! I've got Vanin and the others verifying the camp's location right now. We won't move until they get back."
"Yes, Lord Mat."
Tuon watched Toy pacing back and forth, occasionally making some comment to a nearby soldier. His gaze moved even more than his feet, never alighting on anything for long as he watched their surroundings.
"You seem deep in thought."
Tuon glanced to her left at Setalle. "I am trying to discern where this strange commander came from. He seems…more forceful. More serious." More of a threat, though Tuon didn't voice that thought.
Setalle pursed her lips and regarded Toy in silence for several minutes. Eventually, she nodded sharply and turned back to Tuon.
"This isn't the Mat I first saw in my common room in Ebou Dar, nor the one who I hear wandered into the queen's chambers swaggering and covered in mud. He is displaying a different side of his personality, one that he only shows in certain situations." She paused, then added, "I went out on my husband's boat with him a few times. The Jasfer at the rudder was completely different from the man I saw in my inn. It's a matter of being in command, of knowing in his soul that he will be obeyed and it's his job to make things work."
"It is unexpected," Tuon murmured.
Setalle laughed lightly. "I do not know why people insist that women are whimsical, when men so clearly can't make up their own minds half the time. I suspect they do it just to keep us on our toes."
While this could be true, Tuon did not feel certain enough to voice an opinion. She was still feeling slightly unsettled about Toy's new face. How many layers did the man have?
Toy seemed skittish as he approached her at last. She watched him come with a composed face, though she found herself wanting to smile. Leading armies and fighting vagabonds he could face with a grin and a tip of his silly hat, but he could not approach her with anything resembling calm? Perhaps there was some hope for him, after all, though she found herself obscurely disappointed by his flagging courage. A lion should not be afraid of anything, except the tamer's prod, and she was honest enough with herself to recognize that she had not tamed him yet.
"Perhaps you would like to rest a bit longer, Tuon. There's no need for you to ride along, just to wait while we have a little skirmish."
Tuon's eyes narrowed. "What would I do while waiting? There is nothing of any entertainment value here." She glanced disdainfully at the trees and rocks around her, to underscore her point. "I'd much rather see what you do next."
IN PARTICULAR, WHAT YOU DO WHEN YOU MEET WITH RESISTANCE, she signed to Selucia, unable to resist the comment. She would be very disappointed if the soldiers of the Empire didn't organize themselves and make a stand, whether they were local conscripts or the elite brought over the ocean with the Return.
THAT SHOULD INDEED BE INTERESTING, the woman replied in kind. Her eyes sparkled.
Toy was not quite done trying to persuade her, yet. "I doubt there will be much of interest for you to see with me, either."
"Oh, but Toy, you are always of interest. Even a sleeping lion is interesting, though a fighting one is much more so. Something about the element of danger is captivating, wouldn't you agree?"
She could almost hear him gritting his teeth. "Of course. In that case, we will be leaving within the hour."
Tuon made a show of looking around. "I believe I can be prepared."
He sighed and started to turn. Then he caught himself and swept her a gallant bow, as he had done when he was actively courting her. "I shall leave you to it." With that, he stalked away. If he had been a lion in truth, she was certain his tail would have been twitching and his fur bristling in agitation.
The sky in the east was just beginning to fade to gray when Toy's Band stumbled over the Seanchan contingent they had been looking for. The Band was bigger, and hesitated only a moment in surprise. Tuon glanced at Toy, but his head was turned away. He made a few gestures: the command to form a line was universal. She heard no words spoken in the half a minute it took for the two forces to react.
Crossbowmen immediately dismounted in order to load and crank their bows. Once again, Tuon had cause to admire and covet the new crank. The Band would have the first shot, and perhaps the second, free of return fire. That was not a small advantage.
The crossbows twanged as the bolts were released, crossing the pristine section of road to fall in a deadly rain among the Seanchan. There were cries and frantic movement in response, but Tuon did not have a good enough view to count the fallen. Her left leg twitched as she considered riding forward, but Selucia signed, HIGH LADY with the interrogative, and Tuon subsided. This was not her battle, and it would be foolish to present a target.
Her eyes went back to Toy, consideringly. He was still silent, not calling orders. He had a grip on his odd spear, but it was pointed toward the ground. The reins of his horse were looped around his wrist, but that hand rested quietly on his leg. His body was straight and tall in the saddle, but quiet and fearless.
The shouting morphed from pained to determined. Tuon knew the Seanchan would be advancing. Toy lifted his chin, visibly steeling himself, and Tuon wondered why. Then he called out "First two ranks, mount up! Prepare to engage."
His words echoed as officers passed the orders along. The men in the front had hardly needed the orders, it seemed, for they were already scrambling back into their saddles. Behind them, the rear ranks continued to load and shoot over their mounted comrades.
A roar and the smell of sulfur announced the presence of that woman, Aludra. One of her 'eggs' crashed down among the Seanchan, but it was too late to turn the charge. It only heightened the confusion.
The two forces met with a cacophony, like crashing porcelain and dinnerware. The screams and shouts were closer now, with the men on Toy's side contributing to the noise.
Toy was gone from her sight. She blinked, wondering just when he had slipped her notice, and glanced around for him. At last she spotted him further forward, laying about with his spear on any who got past the front line. The men around him seemed to fight with more vigor upon noticing him.
Tuon shook her head just a little. That was a habit she would have to force him to break. A general's place was well in the back, where he could both see and react to changes in tactics. A place where one lucky pikeman was not going to sweep him out of the saddle.
Light, but he knew what he was doing with that spear! She had seen him with his knives, deadly and quick as a viper, but this was something else. Even in the saddle of his ugly little gelding, he was grace and power. The wood was an extension of his arm, and she wondered how many hours he had practiced to become used to the balance of it. The wicked curve of metal on the end was lethal every time it bit into flesh, and it never struck an ally.
The spear rose upright into the air, and Tuon realized the fight was over. Only Toy's men were still mounted, though not all of them. As expected in a close engagement, there were losses on both sides. But she had to admit, as she eyed the bloody stretch of road, the losses were much heavier on the part of the Seanchan. Toy's men were very skilled.
"Load our dead onto remounts. Have the serious injuries seen to—Teslyn should be able to heal the worst wounded. Then get everyone mounted. I want to be gone before more arrive." Toy sounded weary, his voice was dull and slower than normal. "Let them know they did well. Very well." The officers around him nodded and saluted and turned to relay their orders. Toy sat very still for a long moment, staring north. Then he sighed and kneed his horse, coming for her.
"Are you alright, Tuon?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. "As you can see, I stayed here, well back from the fighting." AS HE SHOULD HAVE, she signed to Selucia. She nodded.
Toy had the temerity to grin cheerfully, not at all ashamed of his behavior. "Well, good then. I'd hate to have to buy more silk because you got blood on your dress."
"You must go through a fortune in gold replacing your own wardrobe. I would not wish to add to that." She gave a pointed look at the spatters on his own coat, though she could see no obvious rents this time. HIS COSTUME SHOULD BE DARK RED OR BLACK, TO HIDE THE BLOOD.
AND LAYERED, TO HIDE RIPS AND GASHES, Selucia added, eyes dancing. She might not approve of Toy as a husband, but she had nothing against teasing him. Especially when he did not know it.
Toy merely laughed, though, and began to turn away. "We'll be on the move shortly."
"Thank you for the warning," she replied sweetly, as if it weren't perfectly obvious.
They rode for several more hours. The sun was well up by the time they halted. A camp went up with the efficiency to which Tuon was becoming accustomed. It seemed that everything the Band did, they did quickly. Horses were cared for, food was consumed, sentries set, and a number of tents erected within the hour.
Tuon discovered that her own tent had been set up without requiring her supervision. Lopin had even provided hot tea made to her tastes and a meal, set up on a little folding table. She ate and drank gratefully. It had been some time since she had ridden so hard and long. It was good to be still.
She needed no persuading to take to her bed when she had finished eating. They had been awake and moving for an entire, exciting day. There were things she wanted to say to Toy, questions she desired to ask, but they could wait. If the man had any sense, he would already be abed.
--
It was late afternoon when she woke. The slanting sunlight gave everything in the camp an ethereal glow. She was still a bit tired, with that hazy disconnect from the world, but she had instructed Lopin to wake her at least an hour before they moved on. He had acquiesced without question, as he should. There was a man she would not mind having as da'covale.
Once she had washed as best she could with only a washbasin, she dressed and left her tent in search of Toy. She found him not far away, just exiting his own tent. He had changed his coat, but otherwise looked no different than he had this morning. She could not tell whether he had slept. She hoped he had the sense to catch some sleep, at least.
His eyes brightened when he saw her. "Tuon! Did you sleep well?"
She inclined her head regally, her face composed. "I did. Do we move on soon?"
He nodded distractedly. "In an hour or so. Just waiting for the scouts. Shall we take a walk?"
"That would be acceptable."
No sooner had she consented than Selucia was at her shoulder. Toy smirked at her as he took Tuon's arm, prompting Tuon to frown at him disapprovingly. Though he had been careful to behave with propriety, he could hardly decline the need for a chaperone. It was not something she wished to discuss with him, however.
"The Band is very interesting, Toy," she observed.
He glanced at her, and then away. "That they are. I could not ask for better."
A nearby soldier, awake and counting crossbow bolts, overheard and beamed at Toy. He snapped out a salute as they passed, murmuring, "Lord Mat."
"You said you were not a lord."
"I'm not."
"How does a farmer from a tiny village end up leading an army of thirty thousand men?" she prodded.
He chuckled. "That is a story that would take more than an hour to tell, I'm afraid. I'm still not sure I understand how or why it happened, but I seem to be stuck with them. They have been useful, on several occasions."
She sensed he did not want to discuss the Band with her. She might have been disappointed at that, but she had to applaud his instincts. They still might be enemies in the future. He would not wish to share his secrets lightly.
They were near the horse-lines, far from any curious ears. Now would be a good time to broach a topic she had been considering since Talmanes' casual comment.
"You lied to me, Toy."
His gaze meandered over distant objects without purpose. "Did I?"
"About the Dragon Reborn. You said you knew nothing. Yet you grew up with him."
Toy's fingers tensed for a moment; then he shook his head. "Actually, I asked what there is to know. Besides, he's not the boy I thought I knew anymore. Doesn't have the same parents, or skills, or dreams, or attitudes. He can bloody channel, by the Light!"
"But those things you knew could help to understand him, all the same," Tuon pointed out.
"Tie more strings to him, you mean. I don't want to discuss this, Tuon. I'm not your route to the Dragon Reborn. I would be happy if I never saw him again."
"Toy…"
"No! End of discussion." He dropped her arm, bowed stiffly, and stalked away like a cat with its tail held high. Tuon watched him go with some puzzlement and not a little frustration. On most topics, he was open as summer sunlight. Yet here, he hedged and balked. It would take time to wear him down, as stubborn as he was. She had to hope it would be worth the effort. And the challenge.
Selucia's footsteps were soft as she stepped up to Tuon's side. "My Lady?"
Tuon forced a smile. I DO SO LOVE A CHALLENGE.
--
Four days later, Tuon had made no progress on her personal quest. She didn't feel too badly about it, however, because she only had short periods with Toy every day. It seemed they were constantly moving, fighting, or sleeping.
At the moment they were doing the first. She had been trying to track in her head how far they had come since reaching the Band. Forty leagues, at least; perhaps forty-five. The men did not look tired, though she thought they ought. They looked determined. Some of them were even singing that song about some fellow called Jak. She did not think the song could really be about death, no matter what Toy said. The men would not be able to sing it so heartily if that were so.
Ahead of her—she was letting him reconsider his reluctance to answer her questions—Toy halted his gelding and raised one arm in a signal. A scout was just visible through the trees, heading toward them. Tuon nudged Akein forward in order to hear.
"Found them, Lord Mat. Some two miles up the road, engaging a force of equal size," the scout reported.
Tuon frowned, wishing the man's account was more comprehensive. Found who? How big a force?
"Describe the terrain," Toy ordered.
The scout did so, verbally painting a picture of a ridge, sparse vegetation, and sandy terrain. Silence fell when he was done, but for the muted conversations going on behind them.
Toy turned to Edorian and Carlomin with an expectant look. "Shall we repeat our very first battle?"
The two lords exchanged a look. Carlomin started to grin. "Whatever you like, Lord Mat."
Toy considered for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Do it. Wait for my signal when you get there."
As the men turned to relay their orders, Toy sighed and pulled the brim of his hat down.
"Mysterious conceit does not suit you, Toy," Tuon informed him, bringing Akein a little closer.
"I don't know what you mean."
"You are being intentionally vague. Why do you conceal things from me, when I will discover them shortly, anyway?"
He gave her a puzzled frown. "I'm not hiding my tactics from you. You'll see them soon enough."
"What was that about your first battle?" she prodded.
"That's part of that long story you asked about. I thought they might find it humorous."
"And when can I expect to hear this story?" Tuon pressed.
"How about when we're not heading into a bloody battle?" he quipped. "Stay toward the back, Tuon." He freed his spear from where it was bound, and lifted it. He glanced once over his shoulder, nodded, and set off. He winked at her as he turned back around.
Tuon told herself she was not amused, but her lips betrayed her.
It was not a long ride, even heading in a wide arc off the road. Soon, Tuon could make out the shouts and crashes with which she was becoming all too familiar. Thankfully she could not see the battle from where she paused to wait behind the top of the ridge.
Toy must have given his signal, because the Band poured over the ridge in silence at first. Then they suddenly broke out in various battle cries. She could only surmise that they had been spotted.
"…no such thing!"
Tuon glanced to her left. Tessie and the other marath'damane were waiting with a thin veneer of serenity not far away. One of the sul'dam was looking chastised. Tuon did not care what they were arguing about, so long as it did not affect her. She would reteach them their places if it became necessary.
The screams of horses and men were thinning out, now. Briefly, Tuon considered what might happen if Toy lost. She could present herself before the Seanchan—surely there would be an officer from home who would know of her, at least. She could commandeer a contingent to escort her back to Ebou Dar. Or, she could be taken to a camp where a raken would land, and go back that way. She could be back in the palace within the next day. No more of her soldiers would die so that Toy could escape.
With a sigh, she dismissed the fantasy. At the moment, it did not seem likely that would happen. Her promise would not permit her to make it happen.
MY LADY? Selucia queried.
Tuon's hands were languid as they rose to answer. IT IS NOTHING. MERELY MAKING CONTINGENCY PLANS. Even though they would not likely be used. She was beginning to consider the truth of Merrilin's comment about Toy being lucky. While they did not always escape their engagements unscathed, things always went better than he had a right to expect.
Yet another trait of which she could make excellent use, given the opportunity.
How would he feel, leading her armies against the oathbreakers, she wondered? Would the dichotomy of hoping simultaneously for victory and defeat tear at him, or would he be able to set it aside and focus on tactics?
The screams ended. No one came to reassure her of victory. Unwilling to wait any longer, Tuon rode to the top of the ridge and looked down. She perceived dead horses, dead men, broken arrows and pikes, and fallen banners scattered across the road. Among them walked men of the Band, helping up wounded comrades and draping their dead over empty mounts. She already knew they would be buried when they camped for the day.
In the middle of the mess, Tuon was relieved to see Toy speaking with the one who brought the Band south, Lord Talmanes. Neither looked quite as grim as might be expected from the carnage around them. Something made Toy glance up. He saw her, and smiled wide enough for her to see it.
So, she would ride with him a little longer.
--
Olver popped by her tent on the seventh day of Toy's campaign. Tuon was not certain where the boy had been throughout their mad dash toward the border or oblivion, whichever they found first. She had glimpsed the lad on occasion at a distance, and he always waved if he saw her. He looked so happy, grinning widely and bouncing in his saddle, that she hadn't the heart to chide him.
As they settled into a game of Snakes and Foxes, Tuon asked him, "Are you pleased to be here, Olver, and not with the Menagerie?"
Olver nodded enthusiastically as he picked up the dice. "Oh yes. It was fun for awhile, but it was getting old. Besides, I couldn't get left behind! Mat won't leave me behind again. He promised." He carefully counted the pips and moved his piece, concentrating fiercely.
"Oh? Did he leave you before?" Tuon asked casually.
"In Maerone. He made Lord Edorion find someone to look after me, but she only wanted the coin. I'm not charity, you know!"
"I did not think you were," Tuon soothed him. She took her turn with the dice before asking, "How did you meet him?"
"He stopped some Hunters from beating me up for sitting on their horse. He talked to me and made them feed me and buy me shoes." He wiggled his feet and regarded his footwear critically. "Except they're starting to wear out now, which is too bad. I suppose I'll have to buy the next pair myself. If we ever reach a town."
So Toy was also the sort to save strange peasant boys from beatings. After learning that he would not kill a woman, she found that less surprising than she might have expected. He was strangely honorable, for a self-professed gambler. Knowing that, surely Toy would provide for the boy, after taking him in?
"Do you have the money to buy your own things?" she asked aloud.
Olver straightened indignantly. "I earn my pay, just like anyone else. I have a little from the races in Ebou Dar, since Lord Mat won by betting on me. And he pays me to run messages. I've been doing that again, since we rejoined the Band."
Not wanting to step on a little boy's pride, Tuon could only say, "I see." She let that line of conversation lapse as they continued their game. She had much to think on.
She rather wished the thought of what kind of father Toy would make were not so prominent, though. There were so many other things for the Empress' heir to consider.
She didn't wonder why her chest felt warm, or her lips insisted on curving.
--
As with all plans, not everything could go Toy's way. Eventually someone among the Seanchan realized there was a threat, and laid out a strategy to counter it.
The Band had stumbled across a banner of horse they had not expected to find on the eighth day. Rather than letting word of his forces spread, Toy opted to give chase. A mile down the road, they charged right into an ambush. Three more banners of horse—almost ten thousand men—were waiting across the highway. About five banners of foot stood on the raised ground to the sides of the road. Even reunited, the Band was outnumbered almost two-to-one. Screams and shouts rose as the tables turned and the Band started to bleed.
That was all Tuon got a chance to see before Selucia stationed herself in front of her mistress. Then several burly soldiers, all wearing red armbands, surrounded them both and faced outward. She was too short to see over them, to her disappointment.
Of course, nothing stopped her from hearing the battle. Toy's voice was a shout as it relayed orders, calling for a solid line in front and on the flanks, then for crossbows. Other voices echoed his orders and passed them on with a great deal of additional cursing.
It was the crossbows that saved them. Someone among the Seanchan was shouting encouragement after the first volley. His voice cut off with a gurgle as the second volley was fired. Tuon winced.
The air nearly hummed with all the crossbows being fired, and the ratcheting of the cranks almost drowned out the crashes of pikes and shields.
After several minutes—perhaps ten—the sound of battle drifted a little away. Tuon's circle had stayed in roughly the same place throughout the chaos. Another ten minutes saw the Seanchan retreating to regroup.
The instant they were beyond earshot, Toy ordered nearby, "Gather up our dead and wounded, quickly! I've no desire to re-engage after their commander decides how to neutralize the crossbows. The sooner we're away, the happier I'll be."
One of his lords protested, "But, Lord Mat, we've got them-"
"Just do it!" Toy snapped. "Do you want to find out they've got a damane nearby? Or a raken? Go!"
There was no more complaining. The men around Tuon dispersed, likely to follow Toy's orders.
"Running away, Toy? Where is the brave lion, now?" Tuon asked.
Toy snorted. "It is a foolish man indeed who refuses to retreat for fear of losing. Besides, our objective is better served this way."
Tuon frowned. That did not sound like something Toy would say. His eyes were not fixed on her, and she wondered what he was seeing.
Short-range scouts chose their route. By some feat of cunning or extraordinary luck, they avoided coming into contact with anyone else for the rest of the day. Toy pushed them harder than usual, not stopping until just before dawn. By then it was all most could do to unsaddle their horses before falling into their blankets.
--
Six days and several successful ambushes later, they rode uphill toward the Narrows. It was still early to stop, but they halted several miles away and set up a proper camp anyway. As had become routine, scouts went out immediately to comb their surroundings.
Tuon could hardly believe they had made it this far. Toy had led the Seanchan in a merry dance, always one step ahead and choosing the tune. That one ambush had been the only time they had been unprepared, or so badly outnumbered. His losses had been relatively few, compared to what they should have been. Some of the forces he had defeated had not been raw recruits from this side of the ocean.
As she waited for her tent to be ready, she watched the men. They were notably more cheerful, whistling and joking with each other as they made fires, dug latrines, or picketed the horses. They knew they were almost free, and they knew they had done well to come so far. Their relief was obvious in relaxed shoulders and easy laughs.
More than once, she heard someone remark matter-of-factly, "I knew Lord Mat would do it."
The first thing Tuon did once her tent was pitched was indulge in a proper bath. Opportunities to bathe had been few and far between, and chances to have a hot, slow soak were even rarer.
Then she had the tea and roast rabbit Lopin brought her. She let Selucia pamper her a bit before turning in to bed.
She did not wake until mid-morning. Breakfast was more rabbit. Tuon was beginning to miss the variety of food offered even with Luca's show, let alone the elegance of the Tarasin Palace. She had hopes that once this campaign was over, decent lodging and proper food would be procured.
After her usual ablutions, she left her tent. It was one of only three that she could see, tucked into a little hollow. She knew Toy's was one, and presumed the other was for the marath'damane. Everyone else slept rolled in their blankets a little ways from the fires.
She went to check on Akein, though she fervently hoped there would be no riding today. While she was no longer sore, she would welcome the chance to stand or walk about as she liked.
Her mare nickered in greeting and breathed into her hand. She stroked her horse's nose fondly. Smiling, she offered Akein a carrot Selucia handed her.
"I would think you'd be tired of looking at horses, after the last fortnight."
"Good morning, Toy," Tuon said, without turning. To Selucia, she signed AFTER ALL MY WORK, HE STILL HAS THE MANNERS OF A PIG. I AM AT A LOSS.
PERHAPS IT IS A LOST CAUSE, MY LADY, Selucia returned. Tuon was not yet willing to concede that that might be so.
"Good morning Tuon, Selucia. How are you today?" Toy asked, as if the greeting were his own idea.
Tuon sniffed and stilled her face before turning to look at him. "I am well, though perhaps not eager for a ride just yet. I wished to show Akein my appreciation for all her hard work. She has carried me so far without complaint."
Toy nodded, eyes on the razor. "That she has." His eyes drifted back to Tuon. "Have you any complaints?"
Tuon considered for a long moment before answering, "Not at present."
He smiled at that, and offered his arm. "Would you care to walk with me, Tuon?"
"Thank you, Toy. I believe I would." She laid her hand lightly on his arm, allowing him no more intimacy than that.
After walking several minutes in silence, Tuon remarked, "Your men have done very well, to come so far, so fast."
Toy nodded. "I emphasized speed from the first. An army that is quick on its feet is less likely to find itself outflanked, or arriving with allies already defeated. It has become their strength." His gaze went to a green-clad scout approaching. "Excuse me a moment." He dropped her arm and went to meet the scout. They held a whispered conference, of which Tuon caught nothing. They were speaking too fast, and too far away. Toy did not look alarmed, though, and he returned to her at a leisurely pace after he dismissed the scout.
"Shall we continue, milady?" he asked with a bow. Tuon decided not to question him at the moment. She also chose not to take his arm again. Toy didn't seem to notice.
They had been walking for perhaps half an hour and were nearly back to the horse-lines when Toy's head turned, sensing some sort of disturbance. By now, Tuon was used to the way he always seemed to know what was happening in his camp. She wasn't sure how he managed it, but that awareness was a good skill to have. She could think of several ways to make use of it.
"What is it?" she asked, curious.
A red-arm ran up to them, bracing his hands on his knees only briefly to catch his breath. "Lord Mat, in the camp! They're here!"
The man did not elaborate on who 'they' were. However, their walk had been interrupted no less than three more times by red-arms or scouts reporting directly to Toy. At least one of them must have warned him about potential visitors, because he did demand clarification.
"Blood and ashes!" Toy swore. He sprinted toward his gelding. He didn't even pause to saddle the horse, just pulled up the picket and vaulted unto its back. Tuon had no choice but to imitate him in a slightly more decorous manner. High Ladies did not flash their skirts at soldiers no matter what the provocation.
The ride was quick. Men moved smartly out of the way as soon as Toy approached, and returned to their business after. Oh, there were plenty of craning necks and curious glances, but none of the men seemed inclined to follow. Tuon was more convinced than ever that she absolutely must have Toy train her armies.
Whatever Toy had expected to find, it was not what they found. Toy was out of his saddle almost before Tuon recognized his intention to dismount. "What's bloody going on here?"
She glanced towards the tableau around the fire briefly, then back at Toy. She had instantly recognized the Deathwatch Guards, of course, and Banner-General Furyk Karede, who was more devoted to her than most. It seemed the Seanchan had finally caught up with them. How would Toy handle this situation?
"She has us shielded, Mat," the marath'damane who would be Rosi reported. The woman looked slightly uncomfortable with the situation—all three of them did—but none evinced fear.
Toy immediately approached the der'sul'dam, Malitene. Tuon noted her favorite damane, Mylen, there as well. Well, someone had certainly deliberated over this search party. She would have to reward whoever was responsible.
"Release the shield," Toy ordered. The der'suldam and damane both gasped as one, and Tuon presumed they had tried to use the Power on him. She well remembered her own shock when she couldn't touch him through the damane. Now she was perversely pleased that he was so well protected. It let her see more of what he would do next.
Toy gave a mirthless laugh and coldly informed the women, "You see, it doesn't work on me. Now you bloody well release the shields, or I'll bloody well haul you out of the saddle and paddle your bottoms."
Melitene was clearly displeased, but Karede was an intelligent man. "Release the shields, Melitene."
The woman's ensuing protest would definitely earn her some sort of reteaching when Tuon got hold of her. An order from the Deathwatch in this situation ought to be obeyed. "The marath'damane was on the point of embracing saidar. There's no telling what she might have—"
"Release the shields," Karede repeated, "and release the Power."
After a moment, Toy nodded, satisfied, before spinning to point an admonishing finger at the three marath'damane. "Now don't you bloody well start! She's let go of the Power. You do it, too. Go ahead!" After a moment, he nodded again. Tuon felt a tingle run down her spine. He was so commanding of late.
"One of these days, Mat Cauthon, someone will teach you to show proper respect to Aes Sedai, and I hope I am there to see it."
Tuon burst out laughing. She couldn't resist. Toy already showed the 'proper respect' regarding marath'damane, in her opinion, and was much too stubborn to change his attitude, in any case. She looked forward to teaching Rosi the proper respect for the Seanchan, and making her rue those words.
She sat back and merely watched contemplatively as Karede made his grand speech and Master Merrilin corrected his misapprehension. Then Toy called his bluff, detailing his awareness of the Seanchan numbers and positions. That must be what the messengers had been all about, today. Then he surprised her by saying, "The real question is this, though. Can you get Tuon to the Tarasin Palace safely?"
Tuon's fingers twitched on Akein's reins, her only concession to the emotions running through her blood like lightning. Was he really going to do it? Was he finally going to fulfill Lidya's Telling? She didn't know whether she wanted him to do so, or not.
She was not the only one in shock. Karede clearly did not know what to think. "You mean to let me take her away?"
"If she trusts you. If you can get her to the palace safely. She's in danger till she reaches that." And likely after, but if he wasn't aware of that Tuon certainly wasn't going to inform him. Not if it would risk summoning his protective streak. She rebuked herself sharply and forced herself to listen to the rest. "…it, your whole bloody Ever Victorious flaming Army is ready to slit her throat or bash her head in with a rock." Idly, Tuon wished she could see his eyes. They must be on fire, from the sound of his voice. She repressed a shiver.
"I know." Karede seemed to be calming. "We will die to the man if that is what is needed to see her safe. It will be best if we set out immediately."
"Not so fast." Toy looked at her then, and his face was more serious than she had yet seen it. Not even in Maderin, or leading the Band in battle after ambush after raid, had he been so solemn. "Tuon, do you trust this man to see you safe to the palace in Ebou Dar?"
There was only one answer to that. If Toy had been Seanchan, he would not have had to ask. "I trust the Deathwatch Guards with my life, and him more than any other." She smiled at Karede, to ease his concern. "Do you by any chance still have my doll, Banner-General Karede?"
He bowed respectfully to her. "Forgiveness, High Lady. I lost everything in the Great Fire of Sohima."
"That means you kept it for ten years. You have my commiseration on the loss of your wife, and of your son, though he died bravely and well. Few men will enter a burning building once. He saved five people before he was overcome."
Karede bowed again, but said nothing.
"Enough of that. You're going to knock your head on the ground if you keep that up," Toy grumbled. Someday, Tuon vowed, she would teach him some manners. "As soon as she and Selucia can get their things together, you can take them out of here and ride hard. Talmanes, roust the Band. It isn't that I don't trust you, Karede, but I think I'll sleep easier beyond the Narrows."
He was doing it! Tuon caught her breath briefly, and scrambled to think over the roaring in her ears. The very air around her suddenly seemed expectant, waiting. This was the moment. There could be no going back.
"Matrim Cauthon is my husband." She paused briefly to let that sink in, and was rewarded when everyone froze as if time itself had stopped. "Matrim Cauthon is my husband." His brown eyes were wide and fixed on her face. He hadn't a clue why she would do this, she knew, but he had started it in the first place. And he knew what it meant, by now. "Bloody Matrim Cauthon is my husband. That is the wording you used, is it not?"
The look on Matrim's face was priceless.
AN: This was just too perfect a place to stop. Please do review or answer my poll, since the response I get will determine how I write the next chapter.
I have not yet read Gathering Storm (It's on request) so please, no spoilers!