He bid her good bye. Moira sighed and hauled the saddle bag out of her
room. In the moonlight, the corridors looked as if filled with saidar,
tentacles of the one power ready to reach and kill. Even the portraits
seemed to eye their next victim.
Moira remembered the portraits that hung in the royal palace of Cairhien.
Kings and queens of the Damodred House sitting erect in their chair with
stern eyes as if to reproach the ruling monarch of his mistakes. Yet there
was also wisdom in their eyes that reached beyond the paints and frame.
They silently told of happy times now lost in the chaotic world, of legends
and myths faded into the past to be uncovered again in the next age. Each
one shone with their ordinary humanity, simple beings tasked to care for
multitudes of people. Those portraits spoke of many things that the world
could use for the benefit of all. However, the portraits in the White
Tower, spoke of women who stood near the Creator with the power to do many
wonders, great and sometimes terrible. They were no longer humans but
supernatural beings whose only limit is their mortality.
And though she was Aes Sedai, she too was going to die.
When she was young and not yet a novice, she had dreamt her death would be
painful, that she would be at the mercy of someone and she wouldn't be able
to use even the one power. And she would die an Aes Sedai.
Now, Moira was still on alert at any possible event that might lead to her
death. She had first thought that her meeting with the Asha'man might be
her death but that had proven itself wrong. In her Trolloc raids, the one
power had saved her. What then? Moira decided to wait and be on the look-
out always. The most unexpected events may be her end. She'd learn that
when Druce died.
That was strange really, his death. They'd been out walking in clear
sunlight, enjoying the breeze of Spring and the early flowers. They stopped
at a near by river to rest their feet. Druce had cheerfully said that he
would go upstream to pick some flowers for her. Moments passed when she
heard howls of the deathly kind, the one that made your hairs stand up on
end. Shouts were heard and then a cry of pain. Moira had jumped up and ran
upstream, her skirts hiked up to her knees. She had felt a pang of pain and
instantly she knew who had been hurt. Stumbling over bushes, she came upon
the bloody body of Druce, mutilated beyond recognition. Blood covered the
new grass and stained the white flowers red. Six shadow hounds stood around
him, his young blood dripping from their snarled mouths. They stared at her
and growled before leaving instantly.
Shock and pain, both physically and emotionally, reverberated through her
body. She was able to patch up the skin and clear the blood so that he
looked only as if he were sleeping but he was beyond her powers.
Druce was dead.
Gone forever.
Strange.why would dark hounds kill Druce when he had nothing to do with the
one power? Was it because he was her warder? Was the Dark one playing
around with her?
Moira unlocked the door to the stable and walked towards her horse's stall.
No answers had come to her in the span of years after his death. Will she
ever get them?
Moonsheen, a glossy black mare, neighed when she reached out to stroke her
velvet nose. Cairhien. The one place she would at least feel more relaxed
despite the fact that Cadsuane was there and the Dragon Reborn sat on the
throne her relative once sat on not so long ago. It would be hard for her
to look about Rand Al'Thor's face since he was somehow connected to the
assassination of Galldrian. Moira stopped midway in saddling Moonsheen.
Would she take the throne if she had the chance?
A small smile grew on her face. And allow Cairhien to end up as Caemlyn?
Light! She would rather work all day in the scullery than let that happen.
Now look at the poor Elayne! Small groups of people had started to gather
to rebel against their queen since she was Aes Sedai and that was something
they couldn't accept.
Finishing with the saddle, Moira led Moonsheen out of the stable. She swung
her leg and sat astride in the saddle. Channeling, she built a gateway to
the outskirts of Cairhien. Finally she was going to get away from the White
Tower and if the creator smiled on her, she would be back working in the
wild lands fighting Shadow spawn just like old times when Siuan Sanche was
Amyrlin. Now that was something to look forward to.
The city didn't seem to change in the many years she had been gone. The outskirts were as busy with people as before, the guards, no doubt, on the look out for any trouble. At first glance, there seemed to be none, but the heavy air that floated around told her something else. Pulling her cloak tighter because she had released the one power, Moira rode steadily amidst the throng. She spotted some familiar people who had grown older and some that used to be children but had grown up. Most, though they had gained years, still retained the features that were imprinted in Moira's mind. She was home. She was where she felt most secure but not thoroughly safe. She stroked Moonsheen's neck, "We are home, Moonsheen. This is the place where your line was bred." The horse shook its head as if she understood what had just been said. As they neared the gates, a soldier from the tower shouted to catch her attention. "Ho there! Who might you be and what business do you have?" Moira smiled. She had planned what to do for every situation she might face in Cairhien. Even one that seemed unimportant. Without looking at him, she lifted her left finger to show her serpent ring. She heard an uneasy shuffling of feet and the gates creaking open. "uh.the light shine on you Aes Sedai." He said reluctantly. "Same to you." She gently pressed Moonsheen into a walk. As soon as she entered, the gates were shut and locked. She pulled her hood down over her eyes, even as she looked up and breathed in deeply. Yes, the familiar air with a scent of something. Danger nearly described the slow and doleful ambience. Everyone was tensed, ready to flee at the first sight of trouble. That was not how it was when the Damodred ruled Cairhien! She rode on, the people making way for her horse. Some looked up at her. Others growled that she shouldn't be riding, that it was useless in fact to have a horse if you can't eat anything. Famine? She had not heard that since the Aiel Wars. But she rode on towards the one place she wanted to reach badly. She rode on southwestward. The old roads were still there but newer buildings had been built. The whitewash walls standing out against the dirty streets. Al'Thor better have a good explanation why Cairhien was like this. She rode on more until the throng that had once barged on her from every side lessened until only a few groups of people could be seen walking the street. She stopped outside a great iron wrought gate. Rust had given it a gold-red color everywhere. The walls were no longer white, a faint greenish paved it from the unwashed moss. However, through the gates she could see the familiar interior, hardly a furniture repainted or moved. This was her estate. Hers and Moiraine's. The sound of metal against metal turned her attention to the guard who was wrinkling and had a limp that had appeared out of nowhere. His fair skin was slightly pink from the cold. His gray eyes weary and yet wary at the same time as he stared at her from head to foot. "What business have you here.Aes Sedai?" He asked slowly. Moira cocked an eyebrow. She only noticed then that her ring was in clear view, so she took hold of her cowl and pushed it back. "I am Moira Damodred. I come to reclaim my estate." His eyes bulged out and his mouth opened in a gape. She couldn't understand why he would react so. Surely they had taken well care of her estate! But his reaction seemed to tell her otherwise. Moira swung her leg and got down from the horse, "My good man, if my estate has not been properly taken care of, I can promise you that you wouldn't be thrown out into the street." He blinked then rushed to open the gate, "Mistress Moira! I never thought you would return!" He swung the gates opened and immediately took her hand. Laying a kiss on it he continued, "I don't think you remember me, Mistress Moira but I am Einar. I worked here ever since you left for Tar Valon!" "Ah! Einar!" Moira struggled to remember who he was, "I think I remember you." He coughed and took up a soldier's stance once again, "Thank you. The estate has been properly taken care of, awaiting the return of you and your sister. However, some of your relatives have taken over the estate." "Is it well with them?" "uh." He drew in breath deeply, "I do not think it is proper for me to tell." She nodded and accepted his excuse. Some of the Damodred were really prickly about some things especially when private doings within the House were talked about by a servant to another servant or another member of the House. "Do you know where I can find them, Einar?" "In the Greeting Hall, Lady Moira." At this he gave her a bow and shuffled off, most likely to tell that she had returned. Moira frowned. She'd rather have her arrival a quiet event but it was already done and she couldn't stop it. Just then, a liveried woman with a severe bun above her nape took hold of the ribbons on her cloak, untied it deftly and took it to the cloak room in one smooth movement, she had to blink in surprise at how she hadn't noticed it. "Our servants here are well trained Aes Sedai. They will be of good use to you if you plan to stay here for a long while." A voice rang in the hall. Only then did she realize that Moonsheen had also been taken away. Moira shook her head lightly but made it appear as if she was trying to get dirt out of her hair. A woman in her thirties, dressed in a plain red gown came towards her in a slow purposeful walk. Her eyes were sharp, taking in every detail, pursing her lip at Moira's choice of dress. Wrinkles lined her forehead adding an air of wisdom to her. She also looked like the type of woman who wouldn't sit and dawdle. "Who do you wish to see, Aes Sedai?" Smooth cool voice. She could have passed for an Aes Sedai, indeed even for the Amyrlin. "A few people." She raised an eyebrow, "I would like to know." Short and curt. And rude. "I will know when I see them." Her face hardened, "Will you be staying long?" Moira hid her fidgeting hands behind her back. Oh how she wanted to leave! The sooner she got to talk with her relatives, the more time she'll have to do more important work! "Just do this for me, please. Get the room on the third floor, last room in the west side ready. Change the sheets, dust it, do what ever should be done to make it look clean and presentable. I might use that room. Have the man servants haul a desk there and make sure there are parchments, wax , ink and quills ready. Oh, and have a basin and a pitcher of water up there too." The woman's eyes grew cold with irritation, "will there be anything else?" The damage had been done so there was no point hiding, "Tell the whole household that a new Mistress has taken over. Tell them that Lady Moira Damodred has returned from Tar Valon." Moira left the woman with her eyes bulging and her mouth gaping. Now they will know who their real Mistress was!owever.Ho
The city didn't seem to change in the many years she had been gone. The outskirts were as busy with people as before, the guards, no doubt, on the look out for any trouble. At first glance, there seemed to be none, but the heavy air that floated around told her something else. Pulling her cloak tighter because she had released the one power, Moira rode steadily amidst the throng. She spotted some familiar people who had grown older and some that used to be children but had grown up. Most, though they had gained years, still retained the features that were imprinted in Moira's mind. She was home. She was where she felt most secure but not thoroughly safe. She stroked Moonsheen's neck, "We are home, Moonsheen. This is the place where your line was bred." The horse shook its head as if she understood what had just been said. As they neared the gates, a soldier from the tower shouted to catch her attention. "Ho there! Who might you be and what business do you have?" Moira smiled. She had planned what to do for every situation she might face in Cairhien. Even one that seemed unimportant. Without looking at him, she lifted her left finger to show her serpent ring. She heard an uneasy shuffling of feet and the gates creaking open. "uh.the light shine on you Aes Sedai." He said reluctantly. "Same to you." She gently pressed Moonsheen into a walk. As soon as she entered, the gates were shut and locked. She pulled her hood down over her eyes, even as she looked up and breathed in deeply. Yes, the familiar air with a scent of something. Danger nearly described the slow and doleful ambience. Everyone was tensed, ready to flee at the first sight of trouble. That was not how it was when the Damodred ruled Cairhien! She rode on, the people making way for her horse. Some looked up at her. Others growled that she shouldn't be riding, that it was useless in fact to have a horse if you can't eat anything. Famine? She had not heard that since the Aiel Wars. But she rode on towards the one place she wanted to reach badly. She rode on southwestward. The old roads were still there but newer buildings had been built. The whitewash walls standing out against the dirty streets. Al'Thor better have a good explanation why Cairhien was like this. She rode on more until the throng that had once barged on her from every side lessened until only a few groups of people could be seen walking the street. She stopped outside a great iron wrought gate. Rust had given it a gold-red color everywhere. The walls were no longer white, a faint greenish paved it from the unwashed moss. However, through the gates she could see the familiar interior, hardly a furniture repainted or moved. This was her estate. Hers and Moiraine's. The sound of metal against metal turned her attention to the guard who was wrinkling and had a limp that had appeared out of nowhere. His fair skin was slightly pink from the cold. His gray eyes weary and yet wary at the same time as he stared at her from head to foot. "What business have you here.Aes Sedai?" He asked slowly. Moira cocked an eyebrow. She only noticed then that her ring was in clear view, so she took hold of her cowl and pushed it back. "I am Moira Damodred. I come to reclaim my estate." His eyes bulged out and his mouth opened in a gape. She couldn't understand why he would react so. Surely they had taken well care of her estate! But his reaction seemed to tell her otherwise. Moira swung her leg and got down from the horse, "My good man, if my estate has not been properly taken care of, I can promise you that you wouldn't be thrown out into the street." He blinked then rushed to open the gate, "Mistress Moira! I never thought you would return!" He swung the gates opened and immediately took her hand. Laying a kiss on it he continued, "I don't think you remember me, Mistress Moira but I am Einar. I worked here ever since you left for Tar Valon!" "Ah! Einar!" Moira struggled to remember who he was, "I think I remember you." He coughed and took up a soldier's stance once again, "Thank you. The estate has been properly taken care of, awaiting the return of you and your sister. However, some of your relatives have taken over the estate." "Is it well with them?" "uh." He drew in breath deeply, "I do not think it is proper for me to tell." She nodded and accepted his excuse. Some of the Damodred were really prickly about some things especially when private doings within the House were talked about by a servant to another servant or another member of the House. "Do you know where I can find them, Einar?" "In the Greeting Hall, Lady Moira." At this he gave her a bow and shuffled off, most likely to tell that she had returned. Moira frowned. She'd rather have her arrival a quiet event but it was already done and she couldn't stop it. Just then, a liveried woman with a severe bun above her nape took hold of the ribbons on her cloak, untied it deftly and took it to the cloak room in one smooth movement, she had to blink in surprise at how she hadn't noticed it. "Our servants here are well trained Aes Sedai. They will be of good use to you if you plan to stay here for a long while." A voice rang in the hall. Only then did she realize that Moonsheen had also been taken away. Moira shook her head lightly but made it appear as if she was trying to get dirt out of her hair. A woman in her thirties, dressed in a plain red gown came towards her in a slow purposeful walk. Her eyes were sharp, taking in every detail, pursing her lip at Moira's choice of dress. Wrinkles lined her forehead adding an air of wisdom to her. She also looked like the type of woman who wouldn't sit and dawdle. "Who do you wish to see, Aes Sedai?" Smooth cool voice. She could have passed for an Aes Sedai, indeed even for the Amyrlin. "A few people." She raised an eyebrow, "I would like to know." Short and curt. And rude. "I will know when I see them." Her face hardened, "Will you be staying long?" Moira hid her fidgeting hands behind her back. Oh how she wanted to leave! The sooner she got to talk with her relatives, the more time she'll have to do more important work! "Just do this for me, please. Get the room on the third floor, last room in the west side ready. Change the sheets, dust it, do what ever should be done to make it look clean and presentable. I might use that room. Have the man servants haul a desk there and make sure there are parchments, wax , ink and quills ready. Oh, and have a basin and a pitcher of water up there too." The woman's eyes grew cold with irritation, "will there be anything else?" The damage had been done so there was no point hiding, "Tell the whole household that a new Mistress has taken over. Tell them that Lady Moira Damodred has returned from Tar Valon." Moira left the woman with her eyes bulging and her mouth gaping. Now they will know who their real Mistress was!owever.Ho