Rand al'Thor filled himself with saidin for the thousandth time--for the
ten thousandth time--since he had awoken that morning. The Light burn me,
it's clean! It's...wonderful.
The door to his chambers opened to reveal a beaming Nynaeve. "I see you're finally up, Rand. It's been a week since you cleansed the Source at Shadar Logoth. You wouldn't think anything's changed, hearing the stories from Elayne. It seems that your weapons are as potent clean as tainted." She peered at him closely for a second. "Cadsuane said that you heard...voices...while saidin was tainted, Rand. Do you still hear them?"
Rand shook his head; Lews Therin had indeed been quiet for the hours he had been awake. To his surprise, Nynaeve's poorly hidden sigh of relief didn't anger him. "Narishma told me, but I almost didn't believe I'd been unconscious for a week." With a crooked grin, he added, "Did the world get by without me?"
Nynaeve shook her head and laughed softly. "You are different now, Rand al'Thor. A month ago, you would have dragged anyone who even thought of making a joke in your presence to the Asha'man."
"The world is different, Nynaeve. I'm afraid that Egwene will have quite a job of destroying the Black Tower now," he almost smiled at Nynaeve's shocked stare, "because men will be flocking to it now that they can channel without going mad. I've already sent Flinn out to scout the streets of Caemlyn for likely Soldiers."
Nynaeve put her hands on her hips. "Elayne won't be best pleased when she finds out what you're doing. Light, that Taim fellow nearly choked on his tongue the last time she visited your Tower!" She lowered her voice and looked worriedly at Rand. "I'm surprised she hasn't gotten herself killed, the way she's talked to him. You've got to talk some sense into her! Just because she's a bloody queen doesn't mean she's invincible!"
Rand's smile almost touched his eyes. "I think that some of my policies in the Black Tower will keep Taim from doing anything serious. He's not foolish enough to test my wrath while I hold Callandor."
Nynaeve's mouth tightened. "Let's hope he can keep his temper on a leash when Cadsuane visits him in a couple of days--" she cut off as she saw anger flare in Rand's eyes.
"Whatever Min says, I've had enough of that woman. I'm not sure I'd try to stop him if Cadsuane pushed him too far. Light, Nynaeve, maybe Taim would teach her some respect!" Rand didn't notice that he sounded more sullen than anything.
Maybe you could use a little humility yourself, My Lord Dragon, Nynaeve thought to herself ruefully.
Rand must have caught her expression, because his face darkened. "Either way, what in the Light would my trusted advisor want with Mazrim Taim?"
Nynaeve smiled sweetly. "I have no idea."
Rand scowled briefly, but it turned into a sigh. There aren't many times when I wish that the woman in front of me had sworn the Three Oaths, but this is one of them.
***
Moridin trembled as he knelt before the Great Lord. Uncontrollable fear marred the ecstasy the Great Lord's voice usually inspired.
YOU HAVE FAILED ME, NAE'BLIS.
Moridin's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He thought furiously, trying to find a way out of the situation the other Chosen had placed him in. Burn you, Demandred! Burn you all!
He composed his features before addressing the Dark Lord--not that it did him any good, however. "Great Lord, I ordered the Chosen to bring the Keys to me! I had no idea that the Aes Sedai primitives would ruin everything! I had them!"
FAILURE DOES NOT GO UNPUNISHED, NAE'BLIS. YOU KNOW THIS.
Tears streaked down Moridin's face. "No, please! Great Lord, I am your servant to the last!"
YOU HAVE ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE YOUR LOYALTY TO THE SHADOW. ONLY ONE.
Moridin cringed even as his head came up like an eager dog's. "How may I serve you, Great Lord?"
***
Mazrim Taim frowned. He had, admittedly, been doing a lot of that lately, but the tales of the Seanchan that reached him through his eyes-and-ears were especially disturbing.
He heard--more like felt--a Dedicated enter his chambers. "What brings you here, Dedicated?" he snapped.
Taken aback, the youth of around eighteen years straightened smartly. "A message came from the Lord Dragon himself, M'Hael. He plans to visit the Tower tomorrow to...implement new policies."
Taim's mouth tightened at the boy's visible cringe. Light, does he really think I would kill a Dedicated for bringing me a message? "You have done well, Dedicated. Tell the Lord Dragon to meet me in the na'dara to discuss these changes." He smirked inwardly; na'dara loosely translated to 'battlefield' or, more importantly, 'arena' in the Old Tongue.
With a fist to chest, the young man turned, and then stopped. "Permission to form a Gateway, M'Hael?"
Taim nodded impatiently. As soon as the boy was gone, he sat back down in his dragon-engraved chair. Glowering at the mass of papers piling on top of his desk, he unconsciously lashed out at an Andoran vase, making fragments of glass fly a good five paces in each direction. He shook his head and grimaced. Had the taint still existed, there would have been nothing left of it!
Mazrim Taim had never understood why so many men had fallen prey to the ravages of saidin. It was a simple matter of willpower--he did not accept the taint, therefore it had no power over his mind. He laughed softly. Saidin tainted was a weapon for him; without the taint's aid, he feared he could not keep an iron fist of fear around the throats of the Black Tower initiates.
Saidin cleansed, however, left him with more possibilities than it destroyed. Taim estimated the Tower would double in size by year's end because of it.
Thinking about the latter, Taim snarled silently. At least that would give him something to put in his progress reports to the Lord Dragon.
***
Demandred pounded his fist against the wall in frustration. The corpses of Gedwyn, Rochaid, and Torval lay prostrate at his feet. You have paid the price for your failure, fools, yet so have I!
For the first time in his life, one of Demandred's brilliant strategies failed him. It was too easy, masquerading as this Black Tower's M'Hael. He still sneered every time he heard that term--none in this age could rightfully call themselves 'leader'. All of them were weak, self- destructive primitives.
Demandred sighed and glanced at the bodies. If these three could be convinced, still others could. A smile colder than ice turned up the corners of his lips.
And then the true M'Hael will rule once more.
***
Cadsuane Melaidhrin idly fingered her dark green hair ornaments. "It seems my work with the al'Thor boy is finished for the present, wouldn't you say, Verin?"
Verin shrugged and fixed Cadsuane a birdlike gaze. "You may have tamed the Lord Dragon, Cadsuane, but you have not dealt with the Black Tower. However formidable you are, there are few walking the earth with colder blood than Mazrim Taim."
Cadsuane tossed her head irritably. "I've dealt with that one before-- he'll be no trouble."
Verin sighed audibly. "When you saw him last, he was shielded and caged. He might not appreciate the sight of one who treated him...the way you did."
Cadsuane's mouth tightened. "Dear me, Verin, I do hope you haven't lost perspective on our mission. We must teach al'Thor and the Asha'man to laugh, and to cry. Maybe giving Taim a spanking will forward that goal," she added, smiling wryly.
Verin shook her head in resignation. "I've always admired your confidence, Cadsuane. Let's hope it's enough."
Cadsuane leaned back in her chair and resisted the temptation to rub her eyes. She was going to pay the Black Tower a visit, though not for the reasons that most suspected. Even if she was al'Thor's advisor at present, she would not--could not!--forget her loyalty to the White Tower. Men who could channel had to be dealt with, and Cadsuane Melaidhrin would see it done.
The door to his chambers opened to reveal a beaming Nynaeve. "I see you're finally up, Rand. It's been a week since you cleansed the Source at Shadar Logoth. You wouldn't think anything's changed, hearing the stories from Elayne. It seems that your weapons are as potent clean as tainted." She peered at him closely for a second. "Cadsuane said that you heard...voices...while saidin was tainted, Rand. Do you still hear them?"
Rand shook his head; Lews Therin had indeed been quiet for the hours he had been awake. To his surprise, Nynaeve's poorly hidden sigh of relief didn't anger him. "Narishma told me, but I almost didn't believe I'd been unconscious for a week." With a crooked grin, he added, "Did the world get by without me?"
Nynaeve shook her head and laughed softly. "You are different now, Rand al'Thor. A month ago, you would have dragged anyone who even thought of making a joke in your presence to the Asha'man."
"The world is different, Nynaeve. I'm afraid that Egwene will have quite a job of destroying the Black Tower now," he almost smiled at Nynaeve's shocked stare, "because men will be flocking to it now that they can channel without going mad. I've already sent Flinn out to scout the streets of Caemlyn for likely Soldiers."
Nynaeve put her hands on her hips. "Elayne won't be best pleased when she finds out what you're doing. Light, that Taim fellow nearly choked on his tongue the last time she visited your Tower!" She lowered her voice and looked worriedly at Rand. "I'm surprised she hasn't gotten herself killed, the way she's talked to him. You've got to talk some sense into her! Just because she's a bloody queen doesn't mean she's invincible!"
Rand's smile almost touched his eyes. "I think that some of my policies in the Black Tower will keep Taim from doing anything serious. He's not foolish enough to test my wrath while I hold Callandor."
Nynaeve's mouth tightened. "Let's hope he can keep his temper on a leash when Cadsuane visits him in a couple of days--" she cut off as she saw anger flare in Rand's eyes.
"Whatever Min says, I've had enough of that woman. I'm not sure I'd try to stop him if Cadsuane pushed him too far. Light, Nynaeve, maybe Taim would teach her some respect!" Rand didn't notice that he sounded more sullen than anything.
Maybe you could use a little humility yourself, My Lord Dragon, Nynaeve thought to herself ruefully.
Rand must have caught her expression, because his face darkened. "Either way, what in the Light would my trusted advisor want with Mazrim Taim?"
Nynaeve smiled sweetly. "I have no idea."
Rand scowled briefly, but it turned into a sigh. There aren't many times when I wish that the woman in front of me had sworn the Three Oaths, but this is one of them.
***
Moridin trembled as he knelt before the Great Lord. Uncontrollable fear marred the ecstasy the Great Lord's voice usually inspired.
YOU HAVE FAILED ME, NAE'BLIS.
Moridin's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. He thought furiously, trying to find a way out of the situation the other Chosen had placed him in. Burn you, Demandred! Burn you all!
He composed his features before addressing the Dark Lord--not that it did him any good, however. "Great Lord, I ordered the Chosen to bring the Keys to me! I had no idea that the Aes Sedai primitives would ruin everything! I had them!"
FAILURE DOES NOT GO UNPUNISHED, NAE'BLIS. YOU KNOW THIS.
Tears streaked down Moridin's face. "No, please! Great Lord, I am your servant to the last!"
YOU HAVE ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE YOUR LOYALTY TO THE SHADOW. ONLY ONE.
Moridin cringed even as his head came up like an eager dog's. "How may I serve you, Great Lord?"
***
Mazrim Taim frowned. He had, admittedly, been doing a lot of that lately, but the tales of the Seanchan that reached him through his eyes-and-ears were especially disturbing.
He heard--more like felt--a Dedicated enter his chambers. "What brings you here, Dedicated?" he snapped.
Taken aback, the youth of around eighteen years straightened smartly. "A message came from the Lord Dragon himself, M'Hael. He plans to visit the Tower tomorrow to...implement new policies."
Taim's mouth tightened at the boy's visible cringe. Light, does he really think I would kill a Dedicated for bringing me a message? "You have done well, Dedicated. Tell the Lord Dragon to meet me in the na'dara to discuss these changes." He smirked inwardly; na'dara loosely translated to 'battlefield' or, more importantly, 'arena' in the Old Tongue.
With a fist to chest, the young man turned, and then stopped. "Permission to form a Gateway, M'Hael?"
Taim nodded impatiently. As soon as the boy was gone, he sat back down in his dragon-engraved chair. Glowering at the mass of papers piling on top of his desk, he unconsciously lashed out at an Andoran vase, making fragments of glass fly a good five paces in each direction. He shook his head and grimaced. Had the taint still existed, there would have been nothing left of it!
Mazrim Taim had never understood why so many men had fallen prey to the ravages of saidin. It was a simple matter of willpower--he did not accept the taint, therefore it had no power over his mind. He laughed softly. Saidin tainted was a weapon for him; without the taint's aid, he feared he could not keep an iron fist of fear around the throats of the Black Tower initiates.
Saidin cleansed, however, left him with more possibilities than it destroyed. Taim estimated the Tower would double in size by year's end because of it.
Thinking about the latter, Taim snarled silently. At least that would give him something to put in his progress reports to the Lord Dragon.
***
Demandred pounded his fist against the wall in frustration. The corpses of Gedwyn, Rochaid, and Torval lay prostrate at his feet. You have paid the price for your failure, fools, yet so have I!
For the first time in his life, one of Demandred's brilliant strategies failed him. It was too easy, masquerading as this Black Tower's M'Hael. He still sneered every time he heard that term--none in this age could rightfully call themselves 'leader'. All of them were weak, self- destructive primitives.
Demandred sighed and glanced at the bodies. If these three could be convinced, still others could. A smile colder than ice turned up the corners of his lips.
And then the true M'Hael will rule once more.
***
Cadsuane Melaidhrin idly fingered her dark green hair ornaments. "It seems my work with the al'Thor boy is finished for the present, wouldn't you say, Verin?"
Verin shrugged and fixed Cadsuane a birdlike gaze. "You may have tamed the Lord Dragon, Cadsuane, but you have not dealt with the Black Tower. However formidable you are, there are few walking the earth with colder blood than Mazrim Taim."
Cadsuane tossed her head irritably. "I've dealt with that one before-- he'll be no trouble."
Verin sighed audibly. "When you saw him last, he was shielded and caged. He might not appreciate the sight of one who treated him...the way you did."
Cadsuane's mouth tightened. "Dear me, Verin, I do hope you haven't lost perspective on our mission. We must teach al'Thor and the Asha'man to laugh, and to cry. Maybe giving Taim a spanking will forward that goal," she added, smiling wryly.
Verin shook her head in resignation. "I've always admired your confidence, Cadsuane. Let's hope it's enough."
Cadsuane leaned back in her chair and resisted the temptation to rub her eyes. She was going to pay the Black Tower a visit, though not for the reasons that most suspected. Even if she was al'Thor's advisor at present, she would not--could not!--forget her loyalty to the White Tower. Men who could channel had to be dealt with, and Cadsuane Melaidhrin would see it done.