When Moira left the sun Palace, it was just past 12 in the afternoon. Now, the sun was starting to set in the purple sky but it brought no warmth to the faces of people. She paced the length of her room, her eyes sometimes looking at the piece of parchment in her hand. How Cadsuane got Somara's permission to allow her to wander free in Cairhien was beyond her understanding. But she had to keep this parchment with her at all times or else she would be brought to the Wise One's camps. That thought made her shiver despite the heat. A bell rang sounding that dinner was ready. She tucked the parchment in the pouch that was tied to her belt. Standing in front of a full body mirror, she adjusted her peach gown. The oval neckline was not so daring but it was enough to make an impression. Pearls were sewn in a band around the neckline and in swirling patterns on the sleeve. She tucked a loose strand of hair and smiled. The gown was lent to her by one of her closer cousins, Maeve, someone who had a close affinity to dresses. There was a sharp knock on the door. After asking who it was, a female voice replied. "It's me.Maeve." "Come in." She adjusted the ribbon that held her tresses away from her face. A woman in a lilac gown peeked in. Her light brown curls were rolled into a fancy coif at the back of her head. Silver earrings dangled from her ears, a pair that matched the silver necklace that wound around her neck. "You look stunning, Moira." She entered and closed the door, "I was right in picking a peach gown for you." "Thank you." Moira reached for a bracelet worked in gold, a great serpent that was biting its tail, a fitting piece for an Aes Sedai. Maeve Damodred was her older cousin though age blessed her because not one of her hair strands was white yet. Her face was not yet wrinkly and she moved with youthful grace. Among her relatives, Maeve was the only one who had the chance to get to know Moiraine's and Moira's warders, Lan and Druce. Although she knew what warders were there for, it still hadn't stop her to try matchmaking them. "You know, Moira, Druce could have been a good husband, if you weren't an Aes Sedai." Her face tightened and relaxed at the mention of his name, "True.but he's dead." "Dead?" Suddenly Maeve laughed, "Oh, you must be joking! How can he be dead when I saw him in the hall just now? He's probably wanting to see you." "here?" Moira grasped the mirror to support herself, "Druce is here? But he's dead! I saw him die! He was killed by shadow hounds!" "Moira! Don't make jokes about that!" Her face became stern, "Have you two been in an argument? Is that why he's 'dead', as you put it, to you? If so, just tell me and we'll patch things up." Moira clutched her stomach that had started to churn, "It cannot be! Maeve, are you sure it was Druce?" "Of course it was Druce! I haven't gone senile! But he's now sporting the Arafellin hairstyle." Moira took a deep breath, turned around, muttered to herself, "Druce is here. But he is dead. How can the dead live again? By some malignant power." She felt a pat on her shoulder and then Maeve's voice, "May be you should go down stairs and talk to him. This is clearly a misunderstanding." "you don't understand. He died. I saw him die because of shadow hounds. He cannot be alive walking in my estate!" Maeve tsk-tsked, "What has the white tower done to you? Oh well, if you insist but don't make me say 'I told you so' if Druce comes up to your room and knocks on your door." A second peal of bells were heard, a warning that all should be at the dining hall as soon as possible. Maeve walked towards her cousin and tugged her sleeve, "We best be going down now." Moira nodded. Taking Maeve's arm, they exited the room and headed for the dining hall. She smoothened her face into Aes Sedai serenity but she knew her eyes belied her thoughts. Truthfully, she didn't know whether to believe that Druce was really here (which she knew was impossible) or that Maeve was playing a joke on her. She'd wished many times before that Druce hadn't really died, that it was all a nightmare, but seven years had beaten her down into accepting his death. Then now he would suddenly pop up? Now that was certainly the Dark One's luck. They swept down a grand marble staircase to finally enter a long room through ornate doors. The high vaulted room was lit with many gold candelabra holding expensive beeswax candles. A table that would sit twenty- one people stood on the polished marble floor at the center of the hall. Chairs, heavily embroidered with gold, blue and green threads stood on either side of the table, ten to each side. The last chair, embroidered with Moira's personal insignia, a black winged horse clutching a white spear in its teeth, stood at the head of the table where Moira would sit. To finish the whole setting, gleaming silver ware were placed on the table while a huge crystal Sea Folk vase filled with lilies and roses served as a center piece. "We'll talk later, Moira." Maeve patted her arm and went to mingle with other guests Moira looked around. Everyone seemed to expect something, the elder ones watching her intently but with lesser malice than those of about the same age as she was. The children however, looked upon her with awe, some of them taking tentative steps towards her. One lady was about to rebuke her child but a glance at the elder ones, especially Cerys, made her think twice. A young girl, no more than five years old, walked up towards her and bowed, "I am Allese. Who are you?" Moira knelt on the floor and smiled. At least this little one wasn't judgmental. "I am Moira." Allese giggled, "you are so pretty!" She reached out to touch Moira's hair, "You know.we look alike." Her hands dropped to her pink silk skirt, "Moira.that's a nice name." "Allese is a pretty name too." "I like Moira better! If only I was-" "Allese!" A boy who was probably four years older than her, ran towards them. Upon reaching Allese, he took her hand, "Allese, you shouldn't disturb the older ones!" "But Moira and I were-" His eyes widened in fear, "Allese! Have you no respect? You should call her Moira Sedai, right Moira Sedai?" His eyes flickered to her, expecting an answer. "Well.yes.it is proper but-" "Why should I call her Moira Sedai, Galldrian? That's not her name! Her name is Moira!" Allese's mouth tightened. "I know her name is Moira, lummox! You should call her Moira Sedai because she is Aes Sedai!" "What is Aes Sedai?" Allese asked innocently. Moira chuckled, "Alright, we'll change the rules a bit. You don't have to call me Moira Sedai. Moira would be just fine." "But-but what if other Aes Sedai find out?" "We'll keep this between ourselves." Moira whispered, then winked. Allese giggled, Galldrian (the second) smiled hesitantly. "Why don't you call the other children? Tell them to meet me in the gardens before bedtime, alright? I've got a little surprise for you all." "Yes, Moira." Galldrian said slowly but his eyes twinkled with childlike happiness. Tugging Allese, they ran off to the opposite side of the room. Moira stood up and brushed her skirt. Something tugged at her heart, not the loss of Druce but the near fact that she may never become a mother. Yes, she wanted to have a husband and settle down with children. She could imagine her life if ever that happened, happy and fulfilled. Did the other sisters have this yearning too? She sighed. The weave had other plans for her but damn the weave for not giving her the chance to be a mother. A bell sounded, all the guests started to walk towards the table. Breathing in deeply, Moira headed for the table too.