When Moiraine told Egwene that she would be able to heal Loial as well, she allowed the Aes Sedai to teach her. Meanwhile, Lan convinced Nynaeve to give it a try, but it seemed that the Wisdom had been right. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't touch the One Power. Whatever Lady Amalisa's little circle had done to her, she couldn't channel, and Moiraine noticed that it was bugging the young woman.
It took two full days until Moiraine was certain that Egwene could heal someone. The young woman started with Lord Agelmar, though Moiraine forbid her to heal him completely. It was a big wound, which would use a lot of Egwene's own energy, and since the young woman wasn't used to healing others, she could easily burn out. And then no one could heal the injured ones.
Lord Agelmar and Loial were the first ones, who Egwene healed. In the meantime, Nynaeve helped with her herbs to keep the dying soldiers alive and took care of the minor injuries.
Moiraine stayed by Egwene's side whenever she used the One Power to heal someone. This way, she was able to stop the young woman when she was using too much or helped her whenever she had trouble weaving.
The Shienarer had accepted that Moiraine couldn't help them this time, though Lord Agelmar had furrowed his forehead when he had heard Lan's explanation. No one believed that Moiraine was too exhausted to channel, especially when Egwene could've taken the exhaustion from her by healing her.
But Egwene refused to heal Moiraine's injury. In her eyes, the Aes Sedai deserved it for taking Rand from her, and Moiraine didn't complain.
Three days after Moiraine's and Lan's return to Fal Dara, the horns echoed through the town, informing everyone that visitors had been spotted. A group of soldiers rode toward them to stop them before they would reach the city. It was a rather large group, but they carried no banner.
Lord Agelmar was surprised when his soldiers guided the visitors to Fal Dara and even more when they came straight to the fortress. Since many soldiers were still not able to fight, Lord Agelmar asked Lan to be present when he would receive the visitors in the inner courtyard.
Moiraine had to promise that she would stay by Egwene's side until Lan would return. Nynaeve and Egwene wanted to heal as many people as possible, in case the visitors would turn on them.
The group of soldiers was the first, who arrived at the inner courtyard. Quickly followed by the first riders of the visitors. Lan needed one glance to recognize the arriving riders. The visitors were Warders and their bonded Aes Sedai!
There were Maksim and Ihvon with Alanna by their side, riding at the back of the group. Three more green sisters kept an eye on their surroundings just like their Warders. The red snake Liandrin was a part of the group as well, accompanied by three Reds. A few blue sisters and brown sisters completed the group.
But the biggest surprise was a beautiful carriage among the riders. Only one person used this vehicle, though she rarely left the tower.
The carriage stopped in front of Lord Agelmar, who waited impatiently until a Warder opened the door and the Amyrlin Seat herself exited.
"Mother." Agelmar bowed in front of the beautiful woman. Another woman followed Siuan out of the carriage. Leane was the Keeper of the Chronicles and followed the Amyrlin everywhere like a shadow. "Welcome to Fal Dara. I wish I could present you a city full of life and joy, but a few days ago, we barely survived a Trolloc attack."
"That's why we're here, my Son."
Agelmar was surprised. "Forgive me, Mother, but how did you know about it?"
"Over the past years, your sister sent us letters. Informing us about the Blight and the Trollocs. In her last message, she mentioned that the Trollocs would use the Ways. So, I decided that it would be worth it to make the trip myself."
Sadness fell over Agelmar's face when Siuan mentioned his sister. Of course, the Amyrlin Seat noticed it immediately. "What is bothering you, my Son?"
"My sister. She died during the attack."
"How?"
"I was told that she used the One Power to kill thousands of Trollocs. Because of her, Fal Dara didn't fall."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Siuan laid her hand on his shoulder, and Agelmar tilted his head thankfully. Then Siuan's eyes landed on Lan, who stood behind the Lord of Fal Dara. "Lan Mandragoran. Your Aes Sedai is exiled from the White Tower and your first destination are the Borderlands?"
"Mother." Lan bowed in front of the Amyrlin Seat as well. "As you may remember, I am from the Borderlands and Lord Agelmar is a good friend of mine. Moiraine Sedai needed a break, so I brought her here."
"She needs to learn how to obey her mother! Her disastrous behavior in the Hall is the reason why she was exiled! And from what I'm seeing, she hasn't learned anything! Where is she?!"
Siuan's voice echoed over the inner courtyard. Lan had to remind himself that this was Moiraine and Siuan's plan. In public, they acted as if they couldn't stand each other, so no one would suspect them to plan something behind the backs of the Aes Sedai.
"Forgive her, Mother. She is with the injured ones. The soldiers of Fal Dara fought bravely against the Trolloc army, but many of them were wounded."
Siuan looked at Agelmar, who nodded. "We were lucky that Moiraine Sedai brought some help with her. I was badly wounded, and without the help of the Wisdom, I wouldn't have survived the night. And the other girl healed my injury, as well as many of my men."
"I will make sure that they will be rewarded for their help." Then she turned back to Lan. "Inform your Aes Sedai that I want to talk to her. I will send one of my daughters when I'm ready."
"Yes, Mother." Lan bowed one last time, then he left Agelmar's side.
"And Lan?" Sighing, he stopped. `It's an act. It's just an act to fool the others.´ "Please remind her that I won't tolerate her arrogant behavior anymore."
"Of course, Mother."
Before she could add more, the Warder quickly fled inside the fortress. He had to warn Moiraine about the new visitors. Their situation had suddenly become more complicated.
Moiraine nearly hit the floor when Lan told her the news. Siuan was in Fal Dara! Lan's quick reaction saved her and he covered her moment of weakness by pulling her in his arms.
"The Amyrlin brought sisters from various Ajah's with her." He didn't whisper on purpose. Nynaeve and Egwene were in the room as well, and he didn't want them to wonder what they were keeping from them. "I saw sisters of the Blue and Brown Ajah, as well as some Greens and of course, a few Reds."
Nynaeve grimaced when he mentioned the Red Ajah. "I'm assuming you saw a blonde snake?"
Lan smiled when he remembered how Nynaeve had called Liandrin a snake after she had told the Wisdom everything, she had wanted to know about Moiraine. Nonetheless, he couldn't be so bold, though he thought the description was fitting. "Liandrin Sedai is a part of the group."
"Of course, she is.", Nynaeve mumbled.
Carefully, the Warder pulled back, but his hands held Moiraine's arms. He wanted her to know that he was there for her.
One look into her eyes and he knew that she was trying to process the information. It was one thing to hide her condition from Agelmar and his men, but there was no way that the Aes Sedai would believe their excuse. Soon, all of them would know that Moiraine couldn't channel anymore.
"The Amyrlin wants to see you."
There was panic in Moiraine's eyes. She couldn't face Siuan and her sisters. What was she supposed to say? She still couldn't tell anyone what she had been doing all those years.
Lan saw the struggle in his Aes Sedai. Light, he wished he could grab her and get her as far away from the Amyrlin and her sisters as possible. But now that Siuan had seen him – and there was no doubt that the others had noticed him as well – they couldn't disappear like that.
"Let's get you back to your room, so you can prepare yourself for your meeting."
There was a slight resistance in Moiraine's body when Lan tried to pull her toward the door. He understood and squeezed her hands gently. He wouldn't leave her side. Moiraine threw him a thankful look.
"What about us?", Nynaeve wanted to know "Did the Amyrlin say anything about Egwene or me?"
"No.", Lan answered "But don't think that she won't call you. Be prepared."
He heard how Nynaeve gnashed her teeth angrily, then he guided Moiraine outside and the door closed behind them.
As soon as Moiraine's door closed behind them, she started to mumble to herself, while searching through her clothes for a dress, which would be appropriate to meet the Amyrlin Seat.
Meanwhile, Lan sat down on her bed and watched how she paced nervously through the room. Nothing he would say would change anything. Right now, she was too nervous to listen to anything. No matter how reasonable it was.
She washed her face and arms and brushed her hair. The latter, she did with such brutality that she even lost a few strains of hair.
Lan watched her for a few minutes, then he ended this torture by taking the brush out of her hand. Moiraine protested, but he didn't care. He wouldn't let her hurt herself.
In the end, the woman of the Blue Ajah had to sit down, while Lan was gently brushing her hair, which seemed to calm her. He kept going until he was convinced that she had calmed. Then he allowed her to style her hair and helped her with her dress. She looked absolutely beautiful.
His eyes fell on her throat, which had turned purple. This was the only good thing about the sudden arrival. Siuan would be able to heal Moiraine's throat since Egwene had refused to do it – much to Lan's dislike.
Moiraine saw Lan's gaze and the furrow on his forehead and smiled. No matter how many times, she had told him that she understood Egwene's anger and her decision not to heal her, her Warder was still upset about it.
She stepped forward and put her arms around him. Her hands were trembling and she needed Lan's strength and calmness to calm herself. She couldn't walk out of here like this. Not while her sisters were watching her every move. Not while Siuan would be watching her.
Luckily, Lan needed her just as close as she needed him and returned her hug. In silence, they stayed like this, enjoying each other's presence, while waiting for Siuan's call.
Way too soon, the knock on the door announced the arrival of an Aes Sedai. Moiraine smiled when a growl escaped Lan's lips. He would protect her from anything, even from her own sisters.
She took a deep breath, then she walked to the door and opened it. Alanna, who wore a beautiful green dress, had her Warder Ihvon with her, but Maksim was nowhere to be seen. Moiraine was surprised. Usually, Alanna was always seen with both of her Warders.
"I'm here with an order from the Amyrlin Seat." Alanna's eyes were locked on her shoes. Since Moiraine had been exiled, her sisters weren't allowed to look at her anymore and were not allowed to have a conversation with her. Which hurt, even more, when it was a friend like Alanna, who was standing in front of her. "She wishes to speak to you immediately. If you'd follow me then I will…"
Alanna lifted her head and her sad eyes fell on her friend. Moiraine saw how much it hurt her green sister to follow Siuan's orders. When her eyes fell on Moiraine's throat, she gasped and forgot the rest of her line.
"Moiraine! Your throat!" The green sister stepped into the room to examine Moiraine's injury.
Ihvon sighed heavily and lowered his head. So much for following the rules. Quickly, he pushed his Aes Sedai completely into Moiraine's room and closed the door behind them, so no one could hear them.
"What happened to you? Lan, why didn't you prevent this? You're her Warder! You should protect her! Every time we see you, Moiraine has a new injury!"
Lan opened his mouth to answer, but Alanna didn't wait for an answer. Instead, she turned her head back to Moiraine. "Light, this looks as if it would hurt a lot. Are you in pain? I'm not the best healer, but I could try."
Sighing, Ihvon walked to Lan, who threw him a questioning look. But Ihvon shook his head. "Don't bother to answer. She won't give you an opportunity. This is her way of dealing with her worries."
Meanwhile, Alanna put her hands around Moiraine's throat and concentrated. Quickly, Moiraine grabbed her friend's hands to stop her. "Alanna. You aren't allowed to talk to me. I'm exiled, remember?"
"Oh, screw these stupid rules! You may be exiled, but you're still my friend! I can't just ignore you. Especially not an injury like yours. What happened?"
Tears appeared in Alanna's eyes. It had hurt her very much when Moiraine had been exiled from the White Tower. She hated to lose friends.
Smiling, Moiraine pulled Alanna into her arms. She knew that she didn't have many friends, and it meant a lot to her that Alanna was still one of them. "It's good to see you.", the woman of the Blue Ajah whispered.
"I've missed you. I tried to convince the Amyrlin to change her mind, but she didn't listen." Moiraine chuckled. It wasn't hard to imagine a begging Alanna in front of the Amyrlin Seat to help a friend. "This whole situation is ridiculous. I know you two aren't friends anymore, but exiling you because you didn't answer her question, has been extreme. Even for her."
"She is the Amyrlin Seat, Alanna. We have to follow her orders."
"I may have to follow them, but I don't have to like them."
Ihvon cleared his voice. They had to leave. Moiraine released Alanna, then took a step back. "Ihvon is right. We need to leave or the Amyrlin will know that you broke the rules."
"Well, she should have sent Liandrin if she wants someone who follows the rules and likes to see you suffer." Alanna rolled her eyes. "She should have known that it is a stupid idea to send a friend to collect you."
Moiraine and Lan exchanged a short glance. Both of them were sure that Siuan had known that Alanna wouldn't keep a straight face.
"It's time to leave.", Ihvon informed them, while he walked back to the door and opened it for the two Aes Sedai.
Alanna gave him an angry look, though she knew that he only did it for her, so she wouldn't get into trouble. With a heavy sigh, she left the room, and Ihvon followed her.
Moiraine counted to three, then she did the same. It was time to meet the Amyrlin. Usually, Lan made sure to stay a few steps behind her, but this time, he walked beside her. Not close enough to touch her, but close enough for her to feel his presence, and she was thankful for it.
Lord Agelmar had given the Amyrlin Seat the best guestroom in the fortress. It had its own sitting room, which was now used by the Amyrlin and the Aes Sedai. Siuan sat in a chair, while she was surrounded by her daughters. And she looked tired.
When the little group entered the sitting room, all conversations stopped and everyone's eyes were on Moiraine, who tried to ignore it. Her eyes were locked on Siuan, who put her cold Amyrlin face back on.
Alanna stopped in front of Siuan and bowed. "Moiraine Sedai, Mother. As you requested."
"Thank you, Daughter."
"Mother." Moiraine bowed.
"Daughter." Siuan's voice was cold and distant. When Moiraine straightened again, her eyes fell on Moiraine's throat, and she gasped. "Your throat!"
Now everyone noticed the injury, and the Aes Sedai started to whisper immediately. Moiraine took a deep breath before she explained calmly: "I went into the Blight and got injured, Mother. But it is healing."
"Alanna, would you please heal your sister? And the rest of you, please give me a moment with Moiraine Sedai."
The Aes Sedai bowed and left the sitting room, while Alanna touched the One Power and healed Moiraine's throat. Meanwhile, Siuan turned to Lan. "Lan Gaidin, you can leave as well."
"I apologize, Mother. I will stay with my Aes Sedai."
Siuan's eyes glowed in anger. "This wasn't a suggestion, Lan Mandragoran. Follow my daughters and leave this room."
Lan's facial muscles moved, but otherwise, he stayed where he was. Only one woman could make him leave the side of his Aes Sedai, and that woman was his Aes Sedai herself.
For the first time in days, Moiraine was able to breathe without being in pain. It was a good feeling. Alanna smiled at her, then the green sister bowed in front of the Amyrlin. Ihvon waited at the door for her, but she stopped beside Lan, who didn't think about leaving.
"I hate to repeat myself, Gaidin.", Siuan growled.
Moiraine took a step forward. "Please, Mother. Allow him to stay."
"His service won't be needed in here. He can wait for you outside."
"Please, I need…"
"This is my last word, Daughter!" Siuan was angry. She didn't like when people talked back to her. "Lan Mandragoran, leave this room!"
The Warder returned her gaze calmly. He wasn't afraid, and Siuan saw it too. Her angry gaze moved from him to Moiraine.
For a moment, the woman of the Blue Ajah thought about denying the order. But she was already in trouble because of her actions at the White Tower, and if they ever wanted to return home, she needed to follow Siuan's orders again. No matter how much she wished Lan would stay with her.
Sadly, she turned to her brave Warder, whose eyes found hers. She saw the question in them when she nodded at him. He wanted her to be sure. So, she forced a smile on her lips. "I'll be alright, Lan."
He didn't believe her. And since he couldn't feel her through their bond, he tried to get the truth from her eyes. So, Moiraine hold his gaze and hoped that he wouldn't see how nervous she was.
"Lan!", Alanna hissed and pulled at his arm. There was a fine line between stubbornness and disobedience, and he was pushing his luck right now.
Finally, the Warder lowered his gaze and bowed. "Mother."
Alanna released a relieved sigh, then she guided the stubborn Warder out of the room. The doors of the sitting room closed, and Moiraine was left alone with the Amyrlin Seat and the Keeper of the Chronicles.
And again, there will be a break.
On Saturday, I'll be leaving the country to visit the US and since I'll stay for a week, the next chapter will be uploaded on 06.11.2022.
Have a great week ❤️