DISCLAIMER: Everything belongs to Robert Jordan. Any quote you recognize from this chapter comes from Crossroads of Twilight, chapter 28: "A Cluster of Rosebuds."

The days continued to drag slowly, and Tuon mostly occupied herself with her few visitors--Olver and Noal and, every once in a while, Thom Merilin. She was also beginning to think of ways to convince Mat, if he ever showed up again, to let her out of the wagon on a more regular basis--a fact which irked her endlessly, knowing that she was relying on his favor, though she was positive that she could get him to agree with it somewhat unwittingly. And the traveling show had finally started moving, albeit incredibly slowly; Tuon hated the creaking and groaning and rocking of the tiny cage she was in and the sound of rain constantly falling against the wood, drilling into her head.

After several days of his company, she became convinced that Noal was somewhat insane, but surprisingly enough, she enjoyed his stories and company. She tried not to appear too interested, as he usually told them to entertain Olver, but she still found herself smiling at his wild descriptions of such places as Shara--and she had thought that this land was strange.

It was finally after Mat's second visit to her wagon that everything seemed to suddenly change for the better for Tuon. He had brought Egeanin for some reason she could not fathom, and Tuon could still remember inwardly cursing that she had been sitting cross-legged on the floor in a wool sack playing a child's game rather than something more dignified; however, it hadn't mattered, as Egeanin had clearly been desperate not to be there, especially after what transpired.

But what occupied Tuon for most of the following day was not Egeanin's trembling shame or Mat's obvious surprise at her behaviour; it was what Noal had said to Mat:

"Fortune rides like the sun on high
with the fox that makes the ravens fly.
Luck his soul, the lightning his eye,
He snatches the moons from out of the sky."

From The Prophecies of the Dragon, he had said. It had taken all of her self-control not to sit there, mouth agape, and beg Noal to repeat it. For long periods of time afterwards, her mind whirled over the possible meanings it could have, from the probable to the more absurd imaginings of her own that had nothing to do with omens and all to do with a ridiculously small wagon. She hated being trapped, especially when she knew that she had a clue to everything she was seeking, if only he would stop being so difficult.

xxx

She was surprised the next night when Mat returned while she was playing stones with Olver, and she was also surprised to realize that she would have been disappointed if he had avoided her after what had happened.

And so it came that he was sitting across from her, playing stones, as if nothing were out of the ordinary. She watched him play the game, because he appeared somewhat distracted. Afterwards, she was almost positive that he was not really concentrating, as she won ridiculously easily; or maybe he was letting her win, which no sane person would ever do if they knew her temper.

"You don't play very well, Toy," Tuon said, masking her disappointment or annoyance or whatever it was. She studied him, wanting to see what he would say, but he only smiled and said goodnight before leaving.

She looked at Setalle, but she was only humming and, as usual, sewing. She somehow felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. She didn't know what game he was playing, and she didn't know who was in control.

xxx

The next night he reappeared, and Tuon was suddenly more alert than usual, seeing something held in his hand. Who, exactly, did he think she was; did he not learn his lesson the first time?

But before she could utter a retort, he had given the small paper flower to Selucia, and sat at the stones board as if nothing were out of the ordinary. Tuon tried to appear unruffled, but she was reeling slightly; did he give this stuff to every woman in the entire camp or was he purposefully doing it to annoy her? More than ever, Tuon couldn't understand him at all.

And, as much as she resented not resenting it, he was most definitely a worthy opponent at stones, despite his rather dismal attempt the night before. When she did win, she had to use every bit of skill she possessed. It unnerved her when he appeared to be studying her over the board, unused to scrutiny like his. He also continued giving more presents to Selucia, keeping her off balance; after the first one, Tuon had adopted a mask of indifference, though she still had no clue what he was trying to gain by it.

After that first flower, Selucia had turned to her immediately after Mat had left.

"What should I do with it?"

"Keep it, I suppose," Tuon replied, waving her hand carelessly.

Selucia frowned. "I don't trust him."

Tuon almost pointed out that she didn't trust anyone, because that was her job. But she didn't, because she herself felt like a fool for trusting him when she barely knew him, when she had hardly trusted anyone her entire life.

xxx

The next night Mat brought another flower, this time a cluster of rosebuds. Selucia, contemptuous, stepped forward to accept it, but Mat simply sat down and put the flowers by the board. For her. Tuon showed no sign of acceptance or recognition, certain that it was not part of the rules in whatever game this was.

As she reached to choose a stone, she looked at his face, searching for any sign of what he intended. He looked innocent, like a little boy who smiled at his mother before stealing her pies behind her back; Tuon didn't know what to make of it.

"I've changed my mind, Toy. You play very well." She hid a smile.

Tuon decided that this might as well be the time for what she had been planning to ask him; the chance to get out of this prison and take some semblance of action over her life.

"I have kept my word, Toy. No attempts to escape, no attempts at betrayal. This is confining. I wish to take walks. After dark will do. You may accompany me." She was certain that sounded right-she was not begging, but she hoped there was some kind of authority behind her words. Her eyes strayed to the cluster of rosebuds, sitting by the board-it was really quite beautiful. What did he mean by it? "To make sure I don't run away."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Setalle and Selucia turn their attention on Mat; she didn't move her eyes from his, however. She could see him worrying about it in his head, but she also knew the moment that he opened his mouth that she had won.

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Originally posted: November 23, 2004

A/N: And here's the part where I come up with a really good reason for not updating. Just give me another month or so to think of one. I'm also sorry that after such a wait the chapter is really short. Well, I'm sure all good WOT fans are used to waiting, even if for something slightly better than this.

I don't really do review responses and usually skip them on other fics, but I figure since there were a few comments/questions, and I've neglected this story for almost six months now, I should acknowledge the fact that reviews actually do make me write faster, believe it or not:

Emily3: I'm blushing :) Honestly, thanks, I'm glad that you support Mat and Tuon, because a lot of people seem to hate her, although I've always found her interesting myself.

Niani: I have yet to meet anyone who likes Olver. I'm glad you're reading this, as a fellow Mat-writer/admirer.

sammie teufel: As I said above, it's always good to know people actually are interested in Tuon! Thanks.

Skye Dragon: Wow, I hope reading my story doesn't hurt you. But, honestly, that made me smile. Thankyou.

VercisIsolde: Yes, Aes Sedai are removed from the Three Oaths after Stilling--if I remember correctly, Siuan Sanche could lie to Gareth Bryne afterwards. But yeah, I was more alluding to the fact that Setalle, like all Aes Sedai, is very good at deception.

To britt and Data, I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you too much after the wait. Thanks for the reviews.

Review, please?