Thank you for your review, Soreidy27. There will be some sweet moments with Moiraine and Lan here and then. I hope that chapter 26 will be something you like :D
Now, one problem is solved, but there is still another one, right?
Enjoy the new chapter.
Two days later, they were able to see the White Tower from afar. Lan felt Moiraine's sadness and brought his horse to her side. His fingers gently brushed over her thigh, and she gave him one of her sad smiles to assure him that she was fine.
Nynaeve appeared on Moiraine's other side. "What do we do now?"
"We rest. First, I have to find the Amyrlin."
"And how do you wanna do this?"
Moiraine gave her a secretive smile, then she dismounted her horse. Angry, Nynaeve gritted her teeth. How much she hated this secrecy! Why couldn't this woman just answer like a normal person?
While the Emond's fielder were taking a small break from the riding, Moiraine took her kesiera and stepped aside to have some privacy. Lan watched her leave, but he couldn't resist sending her his worries. Moiraine turned her head to him and gave him a small nod. She wouldn't go far away. Their last encounter with the Whitecloaks was still vividly in their minds.
Moiraine sat with her back to her companions, held the kesiera in her bare hands, and summoned the One Power. 'Siuan. Please be outside of Tar Valon. I need your help.'
It was a little trick of hers, which she had learned as a novice. With this little jewel, she was able to eavesdrop on people, as long as she knew them. The One Power whispered in her ears, while it was searching for the one person, Moiraine longed to hear.
"…not here."
'Found you.'
"Leane, Moiraine never mentioned when she would arrive in Tar Valon. Give her a few more days." This was Siuan's voice. Moiraine would recognize her best friend everywhere. And it seemed that Leane, her protector, was with her.
"It's not safe for you to be out of the tower for that long, Mother. Especially, since you decided not to take more Aes Sedai with you."
"Leane, why don't you think about it that way? This is just a nice trip to get some distance from the White Tower. Even I need sometimes some space to myself."
"But this isn't a trip. We are here because Moiraine asked you to meet her. And like always you do what she asks you to do."
"I don't like what you're implying, Daughter. Moiraine was exiled and she wants to beg for forgiveness." Siuan's voice had turned cold, and although Moiraine couldn't see her best friend, she could imagine the cold Amyrlin face, she always put on when someone was doubting her. For a moment, there was only silence, then she heard how Leane sighed heavily.
"If you want to keep up this charade, then be my guest, Mother. I will inform Alanna that we will stay here a little while longer." Moiraine sighed. Of course, they couldn't fool Leane. The three women knew each other since they had been novices. She knew that Moiraine and Siuan's friendship hadn't died when Siuan had been chosen to become the Amyrlin seat.
Slowly, the Aes Sedai released the One Power and opened her eyes. So, Siuan had understood her letter and the hidden message. Leane and Alanna were with her, and they were waiting for them. Now, they just had to find out where the small group had placed their tents.
"Anything?" Moiraine shrugged when she heard Lan's voice behind her. The warder leaned against a tree with crossed arms and watched her.
"I hate it when you sneak up on me."
"You could've felt my presence through the bond."
"I was listening. You can't expect me to do both." Moiraine got back on her feet and moved over to him, while she was eyeing their companions. "Siuan got my message. They're waiting for us. We just have to find them."
"Maybe Perrin could help us."
"Perrin?" Confused, Moiraine turned to her warder. "What could he possibly do?"
"I don't know it for sure, but I believe that he has a connection to wolves." Moiraine's questioning look stayed. Lan sighed. "When I had knocked you out at the camp of the Whitecloaks, Nynaeve and I, we tried to leave, but our enemies were already under attack. Countless wolves were walking around and killing the Whitecloaks, but when they saw us, they didn't do anything. Then Egwene and Perrin arrived and these animals… It sounds ridiculous, but I swear, they created a path for them."
Moiraine nodded slowly, while she remembered her conversation with Egwene after she and Perrin had arrived in Tar Valon. "It's possible that… I mean, they are all ta'veren, and… do you think the others know about his… ability?"
"I'm not even sure how much the boy knows."
They returned to their companions, who turned to the Aes Sedai when they approached. But it was Nynaeve, who asked: "Is the Amyrlin close by?"
"She has left the tower. We just need to find the place where they're staying. Any chance you could help us with that, Perrin?"
Perrin gulped and kept his eyes on the ground when he answered nervously: "What… what makes you think… that I could help? I'm just a blacksmith. I don't know how to…"
"I heard you have a special connection to wolves."
Instead of an answer, Perrin kneaded his hands. Obviously, he didn't like the subject and he didn't like the attention either.
"What is she talking about, Perrin?", Nynaeve wanted to know. She didn't even assume that the Aes Sedai was lying.
"I… the wolves… sometimes I'm able to… listen to them. I see pictures."
"Can you ask them to look for a tent? There should be only a few Aes Sedai and some warder protecting it."
With sad eyes, Perrin looked at Moiraine, who was as calm as ever. She didn't make fun of him. Instead, she seemed convinced that he would be able to talk to animals. "I don't know. It just happens sometimes. I don't know how to control it."
"Have you ever tried to contact them on purpose?"
Perrin shook his head, but he understood what the Aes Sedai was implying. How could he be not sure if he never tried to contact the wolves on his own? Although everyone was watching him, he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, while he was reaching out to the wolves. He knew that they had stayed close after they had escaped the Whitecloaks again. Finally, he felt their presence.
'What can we do for you?'
'We search for a tent, but we don't know where it is.' Perrin sent a picture of a big tent, so, they would understand what he was searching for. At least, he assumed that the powerful Amyrlin would have a bigger tent than it was usual. 'Have you seen something like this around here?'
'Not yet. But we will search for it.'
Perrin didn't dare to interrupt the connection since he was scared that he wouldn't be able to get it back. And besides, he enjoyed the feeling of running with the wolves.
After what felt like an eternity, the wolves finally found the little camp. Perrin thanked his furry friends, then he returned to his own body and opened his eyes. He heard how his friends gasped, while Moiraine and Lan were just observing calmly.
"Your eyes!", Rand said shocked "What is wrong with your eyes?!"
"What are you talking about?", Perrin asked confused.
Nynaeve took his face in her hands and examined his eyes. "They were golden like the eyes of a wolf." Perrin waited patiently until the wisdom was done with him. It was never a good idea to anger her. Finally, the young woman turned to the Aes Sedai. "What is wrong with him?"
"I'm not quite sure, but Perrin may be a wolfsbrother. It is very rare and the Aes Sedai don't know much about it." Moiraine shook her head to clear her mind, then she asked: "Were you able to connect to the wolves? Can they help us?"
"They found your tent. It's not far away. I can get us there."
"Good." Without any further explanation, the Aes Sedai and her warder turned to their horses. Loial followed them, but the Emond's fielder stayed a moment longer until Perrin broke the silence.
"We shouldn't let her wait. The sooner we break this bond between her and Rand, the sooner we can go our own way."
Perrin guided their group to the place, where the wolves had found the tent. They only saw a glimpse of it, when two men stepped into their way. Both armed with a sword, ready to attack. Otherwise, they were completely different. Ihvon was a black man with brown eyes, who had shaved his hair, while Maksim was the complete opposite of him, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a peachy skin color.
Quickly, Lan moved in front of Perrin since he recognized the two men. "Ihvon. Maksim."
"Lan." Both warders started to relax when they saw their friend. "Alanna said, you would be coming, but we didn't believe it."
"The Amyrlin. Is she…?"
"She waits for you.", Ihvon answered and his eyes moved to Moiraine "But you better try not to come across Leane. She is pissed because we are out here for days now. What took you so long?"
"We came as fast as possible.", Lan said, and Ihvon nodded.
"Come with us." The two warders guided them closer to the little camp, where the companions were able to dismount their horses.
When they tried to take off their bags from the horses, Leane Sharif appeared behind them and she didn't look pleased. The strict woman had very long dark brown hair, which she had tied together. Her brown eyes looked angrily at Moiraine. "Leave the bags. The Amyrlin is already waiting for you."
"Leane Sedai." Moiraine tilted her head at her fellow sister and Lan imitated her move, but the other Aes Sedai wasn't in the mood for the protocol.
"Spare me your humble greeting, Moiraine Sedai, and let's get this over. It's not safe out here for the Amyrlin and you know it. Follow me."
The Emond's fielder looked at Moiraine when Leane turned around and walked to the big tent. They didn't know how to behave around other Aes Sedai, but Moiraine waved at them to follow her and Lan's lead. It was time for them, to meet the Amyrlin Seat.
Siuan Sanche, a woman with a darker skin color and dark brown hair, sat with Alanna Mosvani, who had brown eyes and beautiful pearls braided into her dark brown hair, in her tent drinking tea when Leane entered and announced the arrival of Moiraine and her companions. The Amyrlin let her brown eyes wander over the little group and her eyes widen a little when she noticed Loial's presence. The powerful woman
Moiraine, who knew that she had to play her role as the disgraced sister, sank to her knees and bowed her head. "Mother."
Siuan's hand was shaking when she carefully placed her teacup back on the table. She wanted to hug her best friend, but this wasn't the time. Leane maybe knew about their close relationship, but Alanna was unaware.
"I have to admit, I didn't expect you back so soon, Daughter. After your terrible behavior in the hall, I'd assumed that it would take you at least months to come to your senses."
"I regretted my behavior on the day you exiled me, but I knew that it wouldn't change your mind. Now, some time has passed, and I hope that you can accept my apology and rescind my exile, so, I can return home."
"Are you sure that this is what you want, Daughter?"
"More than anything in the world, Mother. I am truly sorry and I will promise that I will be a better sister from now on."
Leane rolled her eyes at Moiraine's words, then she moved to Siuan and handed her a slim box. Carefully, Siuan opened it and took the oath rod out, which held Moiraine's oath from her exile.
"You deserve it to live with your punishment far longer than just for a week. But Trollocs are moving through our land. False dragons appear everywhere, and the Whitecloaks hunt down our sisters. I can't risk it to lose another sister. Not even a stubborn one like you." Siuan gave Leane the oath rod. "Throw it into the fire."
Leane bowed, then she turned to the nearest fire bowl and threw the white piece of wood into it. "I, the Amyrlin Seat, hereby declare that Moiraine Sedai will no longer be exiled from the White Tower."
"Thank you, Mother." Moiraine felt how this heavy burden was lifted from her. Finally, she was allowed to go home. After the past days, she couldn't wait to be back with people she knew and trusted. At least, no sister of the Aes Sedai would try to kill or torture her.
"Now stand up, and tell me how you made this ogier your travel companion."
Moiraine got back on her feet. "I would love to tell you the story, Mother, but I'm afraid first I have to ask for your help."
"My help?" Siuan was confused and took a closer look at her best friend. She looked exhausted, but otherwise… Her eyes fell on Moiraine's wrists and she saw burn marks, which hadn't been treated. "You are hurt."
"My injuries can wait. During my journey, I met this young man." Moiraine waved at Rand to move forward. "His name is Rand al'Thor, and I'm afraid, we both had a little encounter with the Dark One himself. We survived, but now, he is bonded to me."
"What?!" Siuan's eyes moved to Lan, but Moiraine continued.
"Not as my warder. This bond connects us only during his dreams. Whenever he falls asleep and the Dark One appears to him, I fall unconscious."
"How do you know?"
Rand looked at Moiraine. How much would she tell? Would she explain to the Amyrlin that they had been with the Aiel? Would the woman believe them? Until now, Moiraine had only told some parts of their journey, without mentioning the purpose of their travel. Or that he was the Dragon Reborn.
"After the bond was forged, we had been parted for a few days, and… well it was draining both of us. The point is, I can't break the bond on my own. This is something the Dark One did. I need your help and the help of our sisters."
Siuan looked sick. Her eyes moved between Moiraine and Rand as if she would be able to see the bond, then she turned to Lan. "Lan, take your travel companions outside. Alanna's warders shall give you something to eat. Leane? Alanna? We take a look at this bond. If the Dark One did this, then we will need all of our power to break it."