Two of the High Lord Yacol's da'covale, Suroth, the former High Lady and Liandrin of the Black Ajah, desperately needed to get information on the Seanchan Empress's whereabouts. Their lives depended on her death. Their cruel master, Malik, had said they would be freed if they were successful or he would see them both dead if they failed. Returning to Ebou Dar from Cantorin, they had learned that Empress Fortuona had traveled north with her armies quite a while ago.
Suroth and Liandrin had been observing the large Seanchan camp for several days, watching the comings and goings. Now they followed their target into Caemlyn, staying way back. When the lone woman came out of a small shop, they came up on each side of her. They quickly forced her into an alley and then finally back into an old stable.
The woman started to struggle but was quickly overcome. "Stop fighting! We need to speak with you." Liandrin said, as she pushed the frightened woman into a corner.
"What do you want?" The woman wailed in a Seanchan accent, and then began to cry.
Suroth slapped her hard, "We need information, so stop crying! What is your name? What is your job?"
Cringing, the woman said, "My... my name is Randi, I am a maid... just a servant. No one important."
"Who is your mistress? Do you work for the Empress?"
"I worked for her Highness, but not any more. Now I work for her Voice, Selucia. Why do you do want to know?"
Suroth slapped her again. "We will ask the questions! When did the Empress leave? Where did she go? Tell us and you might live!"
Randi stared at the two women. She focused on Suroth. "I know you from before. You were a High Lady!"
She sobbed as she was struck again. '"She... she... left two weeks ago, I don't know where she went. She went away with her husband to have her baby."
Suroth looked at Liandrin, then back at the frightened maid. Then she asked fiercely, "The Empress Fortuona is with child? I have not heard any announcements. Are you sure?" News of that event would have traveled far and wide. This would change everything if there was an heir now.
Randi shook her head. "She was keeping it secret. For her safety." Randi began to weep again.
Liandrin and Suroth had a quick conversation. Suroth came back to face Randi. "Who is she married to? Where is he from? Tell us what you know!" she demanded.
Randi wiped her eyes, "She married Lord Cauthon, a General from Andor."
"Who is that? I've never heard of any Andoran General, have you?" Liandrin turned and asked Suroth, who shook her head.
Randi smiled a little, "That's because he was at the palace before he was a General. He was known as Tylin's Toy. The one who fled the palace and took the High Lady with him."
Suroth looked at her in amazement. "That's who she married? Impossible! You are making this up! Do you think we are fools?" She loomed over the frightened maid.
Randi went to her knees. "I am telling the truth, High Lady. Why would I lie? Please believe me!"
Suroth said to Liandrin, "If this is the truth, how will we find him? He is the one who defeated Elbar and was also wanted dead by the Chosen. They will not be easy to take."
Liandrin nodded, "I think he must be the one. It is all too strange. First, we must find out where he is from. If he is a General, where is his army? Come. This one is of no more use to us. Let us think about what we have learned. We have more plans to make."
She made to go out the door. She stopped, turned and threatened the servant once more. "We will let you live, but do not speak of what happened today. If you do, I will find you and kill you! Understood?"
The frightened maid stayed on her knees. "I will tell no one. I promise." She was sobbing as the two women quickly left the stable and disappeared into the Caemlyn city streets.
A few days later the women made their next move. They had identified the Empress's husband as Lord General Matrim Cauthon, the leader of a large mercenary army, the Band of the Red Hand. This army was camped on the other side of Caemlyn. Suroth did remember the man from the Tarasin Palace, where he had been Queen Tylin's pretty. How Tuon had come to marry him, Suroth had no clue. And now he was also a Lord and a General? That made no sense at all!
"I am gone for a while and every thing's changed" she muttered.
Suroth had come up with their new plan to find out where the Empress and her husband had gone. Since kidnapping a Seanchan royal maid had worked to get information before, she thought questioning a soldier from the Band of the Red hand might serve the same way. She figured that it would be easiest to grab one as he left a tavern. The men they were after were easy to spot, many wearing a red armband.
One of the the soldier's favorite taverns was the Lucky Lady in Low Caemlyn, where the cheap ale and obliging barmaids kept them coming back. Suroth and Liandrin watched the inn for several hours, evaluating potential targets.
One of the last men to leave the Lucky Lady, Greggory Witt was feeling no pain. He had stayed later than he meant to and needed to get back to camp. He had guard duty first thing in the morning. As he started down the street, he noticed a woman trying to get his attention from a nearby alley. She was a pretty blond, with her hair braided in the Taraboner fashion. She wore a low cut dress that was ripped on one shoulder, making it dip even lower.
She called in a low voice, "Hey! You there! Can you help me for a minute?"
He stopped and turned to follow her, but she had disappeared around the corner. "Miss, wait! How can I help?" he cried. "Where did you go?" The night air had started to clear the effects of the alcohol from his head. He heard a noise to the right and turned down the connecting alley.
She was there, standing in front of a doorway. She smiled at him and said "I knew you would come. It's just a little further." She ducked into the doorway.
Greggory scratched his head and followed her into the building. The light was dim but he saw the blond woman waiting in the back of the shabby room. As he went forward, he caught a flicker of motion behind him and quickly turned around. A second woman was there holding a cudgel. Greggory yelled, "Hey, what's going on here?" He tried to get back out the door, but the dark haired woman moved to block his exit.
The blond woman he had followed held out her hands and stepped forward. "Wait! We just want to ask you some questions! We aren't going to hurt you."
"I don't think so, Miss. I'm getting out of here!" Greggory tried to dodge around the woman blocking the door. She raised her cudgel and hit him on the head to stop him from getting away. He grabbed his temple and fell heavily to the floor.
All was quiet. Greggory didn't move. Liandrin knelt down and felt for his pulse. Checking his wrist and his throat, she did not find one.
"Bloody ashes, Suroth!" Liandrin swore, "You didn't have to hit him that hard!"
"It wasn't that hard." She answered snappily. "I guess I struck in the wrong place, that's all. Just my luck! Light, what do we do now?"
Liandrin paced back and forth. "I don't think anyone saw us. We can put him back in the alley. Take his coin purse and make it look like he was robbed."
Suroth nodded, "Yes, that is a good idea. Maybe he won't be found for a while. I just hope Master Malik doesn't find out."
After removing his purse, the two of them grabbed poor Greggory by the arms and legs and dragged him back out the door. They took him to the end of the alley and hid the body behind a broken cart.
Liandrin panted, "Let's get out of here, We can try again tomorrow." They hurried away from the scene of their crime.
The next night, Liandrin and Suroth tried again, choosing a different tavern for their efforts. The Empty Cask was similar to the tavern they used the night before. Soldiers were the main patrons, drinking the cheap ale, poured by pretty serving girls. Dressed again in low cut dresses, this time they went into the tavern and found a table. They ordered drinks and observed the crowded room. Some of the soldiers did have the Red Hand sewn on their coats.
Two men came over, smiling broadly. They made mock bows and asked, "What are two lovely maids like yourselves doing here, all alone? Can we buy you a drink?" A mercenary company symbol, a patch with a crossed sword and ax was displayed on the men's coats, but it was not the insignia the women were looking for.
Suroth scowled and said, "Be gone. Can't you see we already have drinks.?"
The men looked at each other, backed off and returned to their friends. Word must have spread, because the women weren't approached again.
After a while, they watched as a lone soldier wearing a red armband, left the tavern. The two women quickly left, and followed him down the street.
After a block, they approached him, calling "You there, soldier! Can we talk to you a minute?"
The soldier, Sergeant Willim Alfram, stopped and turned around, weaving just a little. He was a hard eyed Domani in his middle years, who had been with the Band for several years. He was of medium height, fit with a muscular build, "What do you want?" He asked, squinting at the ladies. "Didn't I see you at the Empty Cask tonight?"
Liandrin came forward, "Yes, we were there. We were supposed to meet someone, but he did not show. We were wondering if you could escort us back to our room? It is late and the streets are unsafe for two women alone." She smiled warmly at him.
The Sergeant scowled. "Why should I help you?"
Liandrin murmured "I thought you looked like a gentleman, someone we could trust." She smiled sweetly at him again with her pouty lips.
"Well, how far is it to this room of yours? If it doesn't take me too long I guess I can help you. I have to get back to camp, you see, and I am already late."
"Thank you, sir." Liandrin said gratefully. "You are a true gentleman. I did not like the looks of some of the men around here. We thought we were being followed."
She led the way up a side street, Sergeant Alfram following. They went a few blocks, to an old building of rented rooms. Reaching the door to their room, Liandrin turned and asked, "Do you have time to come in for a drink, Captain? I would really like to repay you for your kindness." She gave him a very warm smile.
The soldier scratched his chin, "It's Sergeant, not Captain. I work for my pay. Ladies, I really need to get back to camp. But... I guess one drink won't hurt anything." He was wondering what she had in mind. She was pretty, with her honey colored braids and rosebud mouth. He thought her tall silent friend was even more striking, with her pale skin, dark eyes and hair, a real beauty. The night might get interesting.
The two women entered their small room, Suroth lighting a lamp and Liandrin finding a flask of dark wine. The room was furnished with a single small bed, a table with a wooden chair and wash basin on a stand. It was shabby, with one tiny window opening to the narrow alley in back. The Sergeant had seen much worse in his travels.
Liandrin poured the Sergeant a cup of the wine, as he took the seat at the small table. He took a drink and looked at his cup, scowling a little. He shrugged his shoulders and drank the rest. Liandrin filled his cup again, smiling warmly at him.
Willim looked around the small room, watching the women. He was curious about them and wondered what they were up to. He had a hard time placing the blond one's age. He did not think she was Aes Sedai, though. Aes Sedai did not usually hang around taverns enticing men, or live in squalor. The taller woman was also intriguing. There was an elegance about her that was out of place in these surroundings. He thought her story was probably a tragic one.
The blond woman smiled at him again and came very close, saying "Thank you again for walking us home, Sergeant." She even wriggled a little.
He was encouraged and grinned back at her, saying, "So how about a real thanks?" He looked at the dark haired one and nodded, "... from you, girl."
Liandrin was surprised, but not displeased that he was more attracted to Suroth than to her. She did not care much for men.
Suroth was a little taken aback. She smiled nervously, and curtsied. "You have my thanks too, Sergeant." She had been letting Liandrin do most of the talking, in case he was put off by her Seanchan accent. She did not care about men one way or another.
"That's not quite what I had in mind." He beckoned her to come closer.
Suroth hesitantly approached him, smoothing her skirt. "What were you thinking of, Sergeant?"
He reached for her, pulling her close. "How about a kiss... for starters." Suroth closed her eyes as he kissed her hungrily, clutching at her bosom. She had endured much worse during her time with the Deathwatch Guards, after the Empress had made her property. She had survived the abuse, and her strong will to live kept her going.
To get his attention away from Suroth, Liandrin asked him, "I noticed the red hand sewn on your coat, Sergeant. Does it mean something? I have seen others wearing it also."
Sergeant Alfram, with his arm tight around Suroth's waist, said "That is my company's insignia. I am with the Band of the Red Hand, camped just outside the city. We just returned from fighting in the Blight for months." He stared first at Liandrin and then pointedly at Suroth, smiling a little. "There was no women there at all, if you know what I mean." He still had his grip on Suroth who was trying to pull away. He kissed her one more time and then released her. She backed away to join Liandrin.
Liandrin nodded and said, "I think I know what you are talking about, Sergeant. We don't usually invite strange men to our room. We're just country girls, trying to survive here in the city. Maybe we could be friends, once we get to know you better, that is." She put her hand on his arm and gently squeezed, with promises in her smile.
"I suppose." he said gruffly. "I'm not much for talking, though." He tugged his collar. "Can you open your window? It is getting stuffy in here."
"Well," Liandrin said as she opened the window, "You could start by telling us a little about your Band of the Red Hand. Such as, where they are from, or about your leader? We don't know much of soldiering. I am sure it would be interesting, with all the places you have been." Liandrin crossed her arms under her breasts and looked at him expectantly.
The Sergeant scowled a little. "Why do you want to know about that? I don't think I should be talking about my unit." He cleared his throat. "Actually, I need to go back. It's getting late." He he might as well leave, since it didn't look like either woman was going to be his companion for the night.
"Ladies, I'll see you around." The Sergeant stood and the room started to spin a little and he began to sweat. "It's a little warm in here, don't you think?"
He tugged at the neck of his shirt again. "Is it too hot? It is getting hard to breathe!"
The women smiled at him, watching. And backed away a little.
He looked at his wine cup and frowned. He turned to the two smiling women and glared, "What was in that bloody wine? What have you done to me?"
Sergeant Alfram clutched at his throat and then fell back onto the chair, gasping for breath. He started to twitch and soon lost consciousness.
Liandrin smiled at Suroth. "Finally! I'm sorry it took so long to put him under, he must be a strong one." She was happy that her drugged wine had finally done its job. The first part of their plan had worked, now they just had to secure him and then get the information they needed when he woke
It was several hours later when Sergeant Alfram regained consciousness. He coughed and slowly came to. His hands were tied behind his back and he was secured to the chair by tight ropes. He struggled against his bonds, grunting with effort.
His first thought was of how much trouble he was in for missing guard duty. Light! He had the extra guard assignments because of a recent fight. The Captain would have his hide. He struggled some more, moving the chair a few feet. Panting heavily, Sergeant Alfram looked around the small room. He spotted the two women, sitting on their bed, watching him.
He shouted, "What is going on here? Bloody women! Release me at once!"
Liandrin stood and approached him, but not too close. "I am sorry we had to treat you like this, Sergeant, but we need information. If you cooperate, we will release you unharmed." She nodded at him, a grim look on her face.
"I am not telling you anything. Who do you work for... Dark Friends? We beat you and your cursed Dark Lord, too."
Suroth stepped forward, "Just answer our questions! This is very important. We want to know about your commander. Where did he take the Empress? We need to find them as soon as possible. It has been weeks now."
Sergeant Alfram clamped his jaws shut and just glared at them.
Suroth crossed her arms and glared back at him. "You do not want to cross me! I am desperate and will do what I must. Why do you care? Your General is just a peasant! Why would you follow this 'Lord Mat', when he is not even a real Lord?"
Sergeant Alfram shook his head, "You would never understand. Lord Mat is a leader of fighting men. He has the luck and the vision to bring us victory after victory. He is ta'veren, and the one who sounds the Horn of Valere. The Lord Dragon counts him among the few that he calls friend." He spat the words... "It is you who do not understand! I do not care if a man is Lord or not, but how he treats others. Matrim Cauthon cares about his soldiers. I will follow him anywhere." As he talked, he carefully worked the on ropes at his wrists, loosening them a little.
Liandrin scowled. "Well, that is all very fine that you are loyal. It does not solve our problem. We are looking for the Empress. She is with your 'Lord Mat'. Do you know where they have gone? I will not ask you again!"
She looked directly at him as she slowly stirred dark liquid in a cup. "My potions can do much more than just make you sleep for a while. How would you like to be awake, but appear to all to be dead? To feel shovelfuls of earth hit you from above, as you are buried alive and struggle to breath? Or to be on a pyre as the flames lick towards you, unable to make a sound? This I promise, if you do not cooperate."
"You do not need to do that." The Sergeant licked his lips. "I... I... do not care about your Empress. My General has fallen under her spell. It is often so with young men, when they desire a woman, even if she is the Empress. But, since she is his chosen wife, I cannot betray her either, without breaking my oath of fealty." Behind him, he had one wrist almost free. If he could only keep the women talking a little longer...
He continued "I will tell you what I do know... Lord Mat is from Andor, my Lady. It is known that he and the Lord Dragon are from the same small village."
Suroth snorted, "We know that, Sergeant. Andor is a rather large place, with many small villages. We need to know which one."
Willim thought that since it was well known where the Lord Dragon was from, he would not be telling secrets. "I believe he is from an area know as the Two Rivers, which is west of here. The place of the best tabac and the men who wield the great Two Rivers longbows."
He silently caught a loose rope before it could drop to the floor. His arms were free. Now he could work on the other knots, securing him to the chair. He needed just a little more time. "Why do you seek the Empress? She is guarded well, if you wish her harm."
Liandrin snapped, "It is none of your business! We do what we must. Do you know his village? I am sure that is where they have gone."
Sergeant Alfram shook his head, "I am sorry, my Lady, I do not have the information you seek. I am not part of Lord Mat's inner circle, I am just a common soldier." He felt the last knot fall away.
Liandrin slowly approached him with her cup in hand. "Sergeant, I am afraid we cannot let you leave. Even if you had the information we need, it would be too dangerous to leave you loose to compromise our mission." She smiled smugly. She did enjoy her work.
Sergeant Alfram jumped up quickly, his bonds falling to the floor. "I may be just a common soldier, but one very experienced in fighting Trollocs, Shadow Spawn, and the cursed Red Veiled Aiel. You are no match." He spun and kicked, his heel driving deep into Liandrin's midsection. She flew into the wall, hitting hard with a grunt, the cup flying from her hand. She then fell heavily to the floor, her face hitting the wash stand.
He heard the rasp of a knife being drawn and turned quickly. Suroth stood behind him with a narrow blade held in front of her. The Sergeant didn't hesitate, but sprang forward. He grabbed her knife hand and twisted hard. He heard her wrist snap as the knife fell to the floor, the woman falling also.
The Sergeant surveyed the room. Over by the wall, the blond was barely moving. The dark haired woman at his feet moaned a little. Sergeant Alfram was not reluctant to fight women, as he had learned the hard way that Aiel Maidens of the Spear were just as deadly as the men, if not more so.
Making to leave, Sergeant Alfram stopped at the door, hesitated and then returned to where the dark haired beauty was struggling to get up. He was not sure why he was attracted to her, but there it was. He picked up her knife and put it through his belt. Then he gently helped her to her feet, as she cradled her broken wrist. He turned her to face him and tenderly wiped the single tear from her cheek. He whispered, "If you decide to leave this life, I can help you. Just find me and I will take care of you. This I promise." He kissed her eyes tenderly. He had not cared this way about any woman before and it hurt.
She murmured sadly, "There is no help for me. I am already dead." She looked into his eyes, "Why do you care?"
"I mean what I say. If you are in trouble, let me know." Sergeant Alfram then gently embraced her, kissing her lips and throat. He pressed his body to hers, kissing her again, hungrily this time. She returned his kisses, with a passion she had not known before. After a few minutes, they reluctantly broke apart.
Suroth frowned when she heard Liandrin retching in the corner. She pushed the Sergeant towards the door. "Hurry, you must leave. If my Master returns and you are found here it will not go well. I will remember what you said, but I cannot make any promises." She stopped and touched his cheek. "Who are you?" she asked
He made a small bow and then nodded. "I am nobody special, just a soldier. Willim Alfram, my Lady. You can find me in the Third Banner of Foot, in the Band of the Red Hand. If I have not been let go for missing my duty again, that is." He took her good hand, and kissed it tenderly. "By what name may I call you, besides temptress?"
"I am known as Suroth, but that name is also my death sentence. Do not use it lightly."
"Farewell, my Lady Suroth. Keep away from my General and his Ladywife. They are well guarded and will be wary. Be safe, if you can, but give up this evil life. It does not suit you." With that, he left the two women and hurried back to his camp. The sun was rising and he was already late for duty.
Suroth watched him leave and sighed, shaking her head. Light, she had no right to even think about a life she could never have. She turned and went to Liandrin, kneeling beside her. The woman was doubled over, clutching her stomach, still retching. Suroth helped her up, leading her to the narrow bed.
Liandrin sat on the bed, still shaking a little. Suroth gave her a damp cloth to wipe her face. Her left eye was already turning colors and swelling shut. Liandrin dabbed blood from her lip and gingerly felt her mouth. One front tooth was missing and another was loose. She hissed, "That bloody man will pay for thith! If it is the lasth thing I do."
Suroth paced the small room, thinking. If Sergeant Alfram was a common soldier, as he claimed, no wonder the Band of the Red Hand was well known and respected. An army of men like him would be difficult to beat in combat. The man was fast and fearless, even when out numbered. She glanced at Liandrin and smiled just a little. The woman was always showing off and using her looks to gain favors with men. Well, she would not be so pretty now. No amount of healing could grow a new tooth.
Suroth found the untainted bottle of wine and poured herself a cup. Maybe it would help with the pain in her wrist, which was swollen and throbbing. "Liandrin, do you want some wine? Maybe it would help your stomach." Liandrin shook her head, still spitting blood onto the cloth.
Liandrin was fuming and cursed as she spit out the second tooth. "That bloody Thargent ith doomed. He hath no idea who he has crosthed...his death will be very painful!"
A half hour later, they were still in the same positions when the door swung open with a crash. Master Malik always entered without knocking. He was surprised when they did not jump up to grovel at his feet as usual. He looked around the room and then at his two da'covale assassins, scowling.
"What's happened here? You are both a mess! Where's your captive? Did you get the information you said you would?" He fingered the strap at his waist. "I need answers and they had better be the bloody right ones!" The strap was well used and the women knew it well. Right now they were too tired and sore to care.
Liandrin looked up, "Sorry, Mathter, but we were unable to make the tholdier talk. It theems he was not as eathy as the ladyths maid to question." She glared at Suroth, whose idea it had been. She was still feeling where her teeth had been, and frowning.
Suroth shook her head sadly, "We choose our victim poorly, Master. We did get some information, but not all we needed. This 'Lord' General Cauthon has taken Fortuona to the Two Rivers in Andor. But we do not know to which village." She went on her knees in front of him, prostrating herself. She begged, "We have already been punished for our mistake, Master, please spare us this one time.
Malik looked down at her and sneered, "You know the price of failure! Why do you keep disappointing me?" He took his strap out and lashed her several times, hard enough to slice through her dress. Suroth flinched, but made no sounds. She knew crying out would only make the beating worse. She gritted her teeth and thought of Willim Alfram's promise to her. But what could he do? She had no hope at all. It was best to put him from her mind.
Master Malik grabbed Liandrin and pulled her to her feet, looking closely at her face. "It seems you have already been beaten, and beaten well. I will not add to your punishment." He shoved her back onto the bed.
He took Suroth's chair at the table. "I'll have some of that wine you were drinking." He took her cup and drained what was left, then held it for a refill. Suroth got to her feet and awkwardly poured the wine one handed.
Master Malik leaned back in the chair and grimaced. It was what passed for his smile. "Well, it seems that I know something that you do not." He seemed very pleased with himself. "I was at an Inn last night, in the nicer part of the city, not down here with the dregs. I chanced upon an old Gleeman, who was telling a most interesting story. He called it the 'The Empress and the Gambler.' It had the usual plot of a poor farm boy who has an Empress fall in love with him. But this tale had details that were not made up, as far as I know. This farm boy had his own army and was friends with Aes Sedai. Well mostly they just caused him trouble. The tale even had him being a beautiful queen's love slave. It sounded a lot like what you told me about this 'Lord Mat', who has taken the Empress" He grimaced again.
Malik held out his cup for a refill. Suroth filled it again, still cradling her injured hand. Malic continued, "After his tale was over, I approached the Gleeman. I asked him where this interesting young farmer was from, as I had missed first part of his tale. I don't know if he had previously mentioned the location, but he told me the boy was from a village called Emond's Field in the Two Rivers. So your information is correct as far as it went."
Master Malik stood abruptly. "It will take us several weeks to get there. We leave in the morning." He scowled at the two women then pulled his purse out. He laid some coins on the table. "The Andor Queen has some healing centers located around the city. I saw one a few blocks away. Go, and get the healing, but do not say how you were injured. We must avoid notice." He took out a few more coins. "Your clothes are ruined, also. Buy some new dresses. I cannot be seen with you dressed like that." The front of Liandrin's dress was covered with blood and Suroth's had split in the back where she had been lashed.
They both knelt, thanking their Master for his generosity. He frowned at them again, shaking his head. "Be ready to go at sunrise, and do not disappoint me again!" He slammed the door as he left. The women sighed with relief after he left. It was always stressful when their Master was angry with them.
The women would have another chance to win their freedom. They only had to find and then eliminate the Empress. Liandrin was more determined than ever, and now she had a score to settle with the Sergeant. She would find him and make him pay for her pain and disfigurement.
Suroth was anxious to complete her task, too, but now she was worried that they would fail again. She knew the odds were heavy against them, if the Empress was guarded with members of the Band of the Red Hand. Willim Alfram had warned her away, but he had also promised to help her. She did not know what to do. She would figure all it out when she got to Emond's Field.