Half of a week had gone by, and only 20 men wanted to learn the Art of Healing. Flinn shook his head at the number.
"Light, Narishma, what do they have to lose by learning Healing? It's as if all they want to do is kill people, even with the taint removed."
"Maybe we need to tell the Lord Dragon…we aren't of very much use here." Flinn could tell Narishma just wanted to get away from Taim and the Tower.
"Feel free to try," Flinn said, and smirked.
Narishma eyed him down. "Oh, no you don't. We're in this together."
Flinn looked up at him. "I guess we are, aren't we?"
***
Mesaana exhaled, exasperated. "You say they've put up a cloak of sorts around a rebel Aes Sedai camp? I didn't think that there were nearly enough sisters to seriously try a coup with the Tower. There must be at least 300 here, and only 50 there!"
Alviarin shrugged. "Maybe they are just stupid. Our agent purposely assisted in the formation of the cloak to alert you of its presence but saw no way of undoing its protection. For all the Aes Sedai to be aware of it without being aware of us…"
"Will be a challenge," Mesaana finished. "I agree. You must take me to the site of this camp."
Alviarin shook her head. "I walked last time; that's why it took so long. I don't know how to create a portal without every single rebel Aes Sedai for miles around seeing it."
Mesaana laughed. "It is a simple thing called inverting, Alviarin." Alviarin's eyes widened as a portal formed without her seeing any weaves.
On a second thought, though, her eyes widened further. "Great Mistress, neither our agent or myself could see the weaves holding the cloak into place…"
Mesaana cursed under her breath. "They know…that dog Moghedien must have showed them how! We'll have to go about this carefully." Both she and Alviarin created Folded Light around themselves.
When Mesaana looked at Alviarin expectantly, Alviarin threw up her hands. "I don't know how to make an Inverted portal!" It took about 10 minutes, but Mesaana finally got Alviarin to create her own Inverted weaves.
"You are proficient enough to create a simple portal, now do it!" Mesaana was already furious about the delay.
Alviarin rather shakily formed the portal to where she had last been. They both walked through, and saw absolutely nothing. To Alviarin's surprise, Mesaana laughed.
"You see the trees shaking slightly in the wind?" she asked. When Alviarin nodded, she continued, "They shake up to this point. Beyond that is our 'cloak'."
Alviarin watched in awe as Mesaana created a fine sliver of Spirit and cut the air in front of her. As soon as she had cut about 10 places, the cloak started folding in on itself. Within minutes, it was completely collapsed. Smiling triumphantly, Mesaana took a long look at the camp. She understood now why the rebels were so eager to attack. They had at least 10,000 troops and 200 sisters. Her smile widened. Not for very long.
***
For the first time in a long while, Elaida sat up straight and tall in her chair. The rebels would be destroyed now! "Thank you for your diligent work, Alviarin. Speaking of which, how did you find this…shield around their camp?"
Alviarin's eyes narrowed. "Perseverance, Mother," she added mockingly.
Elaida shook her head and almost groaned. How in the light can I get rid of her… Her thoughts were interrupted by Alviarin's comment.
"When will we move on them?"
Elaida leaned forward eagerly. "Now."
***
Demandred paced the floor. "Do you think I care about the affairs of these puny women who can channel? If that's all you came for, Graendal…"
Graendal gave him a sly look and said one word. "Al'Thor."
Demandred glared at her. "What about him? Stop playing games!"
Eyes widening in mock concern, Graendal said, "What's gotten into you, Demandred? I remember when you were on top of every plot, master of peoples' fates."
Demandred lunged for Graendal and grabbed her by the throat. "Tell me, NOW!"
Holding back a gulp, Graendal said coolly, "I don't think the Dark One would approve of your actions against a Chosen."
Seething with rage, Demandred backed away. Graendal's face grew bright, and she said, "Now that you've calmed down…" After a dangerous look from him, she continued, "Egwene al'Vere. What do you know of her?"
"Only that she came from al'Thor's village."
"Quite right, but she's actually become the Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai."
"Continue," Demandred growled.
"If you must know, Mesaana has uncovered their presence and has indirectly informed the Tower. There is going to be a major battle in a matter of hours." She saw Demandred already putting the pieces together, but she went on anyway. "Seeing as the Tower outnumbers the rebels significantly, the Amyrlin will need a lot of assistance. That assistance…"
Demandred slapped his forehead and burst out laughing. "Al'Thor and his Asha'man! Al'Thor must have some sympathy for his village sweetheart… You are brilliant, Graendal!"
Graendal inwardly snickered, but said, "You may prove your loyalty to the Shadow that way."
Demandred actually bowed before he left. Explosive fits of laughter overtook her before she got that familiar tweak in her mind that signaled the area was clear to go to Semirhage. Once she made and stepped through a portal, Semirhage looked at her anxiously.
"Any news?"
Graendal fought down laughter as she said, "A powerful man that can channel is after al'Thor. He's rumored to have a Mask of Mirrors, so don't trust your eyesight to identify the attacker. Anyone who touches Rand with saidin must be stopped."
Semirhage created a spark with saidar. "Whoever he is…he will die."