Sinead woke up the next morning, with a feeling that something momentous would be happening that day. Nothing exceedingly strange happened while she was dressing, however, nor when she made the trip down to the Kitchens to get her breakfast and to draft a novice into carrying Lundren's up. On the way back up, she saw Lasana walking with Darmou. Funny, to think that Darmou was her brother, and Lasana her sister, and yet they bore absolutely no relation to each other. Darmou looked confused; Sinead stopped for a moment to give them both comforting hugs, and then went on to her quarters.

She ate slowly, reading over the reports that she hadn't finished the night before, and penning a summary of them, to give to the Head of the Blue. She left it up to Sallah what should be told to Kesinda and not. Sallah was remarkably clear-headed -maybe something to do with her being of a major Saldaean House. She played the Great Game, but minimally, and only to smooth over arguments of a sort that could cause wars. She sealed it with her seal- a segede flower half-bloomed, surrounded by thorns-, opened her door, snagged a passing novice, and told her to take it, before going back in and finishing her breakfast talking pleasantly with Lundren.

The sun had not cleared the Dragonwall when another novice came, and told Sinead that the Hall was meeting. Sinead nodded, and grabbed her shawl from its hook by her dressing room mirror. After a moment's thought, she added the two combs her sister had given her, sweeping her hair back majestically. One was a sa'angreal and the other a ter'angreal. The former was only slightly weaker less strong than Callandor, while the latter did something so terrible that Lasana had refused to tell her what, saying that if she knew, she would hesitate to use it when necessary. Sinead decided, for the umpteenth time, as she placed it carefully in her hair, that she did not want to know. Then she left her quarters, heading for the Great Hall -and yet another boring session of Aes Sedai playing politics like a harp.

Calenna would ask, in her bird-like voice, whether they could leave the Tower yet. Kesinda would say, once again, that the restriction held. She might possibly say that two or three times to as many people. The Green Sitters would ask about the Dragon Reborn, and Kesinda would silence them with some half-truth. Sinead would probably see through it, and tell the Hall what the Amyrlin really meant, and the Amyrlin, in retaliation, would give the other two Blue Sitters none-too-subtle hints that Sinead was not fit for her chair in the Hall. The Yellows would bring up the issue of the latest woman burnt-out in an attempt to create strong angreal, the Reds would send barbed comments to the Blues and Greens, needling them ruthlessly, and it would degenerate into a debate of which Sinead had no interest in.

Only, when she got there, nothing of the sort happened. Malera said the traditional words, walking in with Kesinda behind her, and all the Sitters curtsied. The Amyrlin had barely seated herself, arranging the stole about her shoulders pompously, when she said abruptly, "bring her in" and two guards came forward, followed by three women. One of them, Sinead realized in dismay, was Lasana, and her first-sister was shielded and bound by the other two.

She leapt up, demanding the Amyrlin's attention. "Ah. The erstwhile White's…er…sister, am I correct?" Kesinda asked, in the most insulting tones possible, and Sinead blinked. "Not a good thing to happen to one's blood, is it, Sinead?" She added lazily. "Lasana…tell your tale. I'm sure it will be quite…ehm…enlightening for us all." Sinead sat down, grinding her teeth. Kesinda had just walked all over law and tradition.

She sent every bit of strength, reassurance and love she could muster through the bond. Lasana would be forgiven, if Sinead Mesine-Montin of the Deep Valley Goshien Aiel had anything to say about the matter. Apparently that bit of support was what Lasana needed, for she straightened, and positioned herself so everyone could see her clearly.

"Mother," she said, her voice clear, "a week ago, I was walking in the corridors, when Bethasin of the White Ajah requested my aid on a matter of angreal." She held her head high, staring the Amyrlin in the eye. "I went willingly; she was of my Ajah, after all, and I am good with ter'angreal. When I got down there, however…" Sinead flinched, knowing what was coming next. She heard no more of the narrative, focusing her attention on giving her sister the strength to go on. She was startled back into awareness when the Amyrlin spoke.

"Who will speak for this woman's trusty-worthiness?" Sinead got to her feet immediately. So did all of the White Sitters, a Gray, a Yellow, a Green, and, to her surprise, all three Reds. Lasana was obviously startled by that as well. Sinead felt a small smile form on her lips; her sister had made more friends than expected. Kesinda looked slightly taken-aback, but not for long. She smiled, and Sinead shivered.

"I count ten of twenty one." She said, and Sinead's heart sank. Just as Kesinda opened her mouth -no doubt to sentence Lasana to stilling and worse- two Browns rose, settling their skirts and looking flustered as they looked about. Sinead closed her eyes, biting her lip to keep from cheering. Don't give up! She thought to her sister. Kesinda turned to Malera. "Bring the Oath Rod, please." Her voice sounded like sour apples personified. Malera nodded, and scurried out of the Hall.

While the Keeper was gone, there was utter silence in the Hall; only the two guards shifted at all, and they had a right to be uneasy. Malera came back, still at that half-run, the box with the Oath Rod held under her arm. She put it on the only table in the room, and brought out the bone-white rod, holding it in her hands as if afraid to break it. "Lasana Jintan, will you swear the Three Oaths to prove your innocence?" The pale-haired Keeper asked breathlessly, proffering it to the Cairhienin woman. Sinead watched in silence as Lasana put a hand around it, and then turned, to face the Sitter- the White Ajah and Sinead, specifically, though as she turned, Sinead saw her shoot the Reds -and the two Browns- a grateful look.

"By the Light, I swear to speak no word that is not true. By the Light, I swear never to make a weapon for one man to kill another. By the Light, I swear never to use the One Power as a weapon save against Shadowspawn, or in the last defense of my life, the life of my Warder, or that of another sister." Sinead felt the shivery feeling over the bond of Oaths settling in. "By the bond that made Sinead and I first-sisters -and nothing means more to me- I swear; I am not a Darkfriend. By that same bond, I will swear, though it may kill me, that I will never serve the Shadow again." The shivery feeling increased tenfold, and Lasana threw her head back, clenching her teeth against the scream. "I will compensate as well as I can." She said, once her breath was back. "My estates are at the Ajahs' disposal. I ask only that they are used for worthy pursuits." She curtsied. Sinead noticed that she said 'the Ajahs'' and not 'the Tower's'. She also noticed that Kesinda had noticed, and was not pleased in the least. Lasana's estates had been quite well-off since Selina Jintan had died and Lasana gained the title Lady Jintan- such a financial gain wouldn't have done any harm to Kesinda's position as Amyrlin.

The two Aes Sedai flanking Lasana removed the shield, and Lasana relaxed, but before anyone could say anything, Kesinda flung up a hand. "Find Bethasin Meliadra and put her in the holding cells- her trial will commence tomorrow. Lasana, I will see you in my study three after High; we must discuss the matter of penance. Simply giving us money is not enough to make up for your treachery." With a vindictive smile, the Amyrlin swept out of the Hall without bothering with ceremony.