Mogheidan drained her cup and seized the wine pitcher. On finding it empty she promptly hurled it against the wall just as the door opened.
Velina gave an involuntary step back as the furious Forsaken whirled round to face her.
"What do you want," Mogheidan snarled.
"Mistress forgive me," Velina whimpered. "But you ordered that all news be reported directly to you."
"Well get on with it," Mogheidan demanded.
"The message came a few moments ago. The Seanchan have withdrawn from the fort, leaving it burning. Few survived."
"So we don't know where she is?" Mogheidan muttered more to herself than to her companion.
"Not exactly," the Black sister said sheepishly. "There was someone who did see a woman fitting Yana's description fleeing the fort."
Mogheidan sat down, her head dropping into her hands.
"There's more," Mogheidan's head snapped up. "There was a man with her. They didn't manage to get a good look at him."
The Chosen looked shocked and for a moment was speechless. She could see her nightmares coming true.
"FIND HER!" She ordered, jumping to her feet. "I don't care what it takes, find her and bring her to me. By force if need be. I want every Black agent on red alert."
"Forgive me mistress, but is Yana worth all this trouble. We have nothing to fear from her."
"Then you are a fool," growled Mogheidan and Velina was dismissed.
XXXXX
"Lan you are not going anywhere!" cried Elayne. "No guard is going to let you wander out of the palace."
"Then I will fight whoever stands in my way," Lan returned hotly. "Even you if I must."
"That sounds like a challenge," Elayne stated drawing herself up to her full regal height. Lan loomed over her.
"Maybe it is."
Aviendha watched this exchange with interest, secretly hoping that there would be a display of power from either side. Lan was a strong, skilled man who she greatly respected. He was adamant in his request to search for Nynaeve himself. The Aiel frowned. Her first sister, the Amrylin and the Warder had returned five days earlier by way of a gateway. She had listened intently to their story and rejoiced with them over their discovery of Nynaeve. Lan had slept for three solid days and once awake had been making a nuisance of himself all over the palace in his bid to escape. Lan and Elayne were still bickering when Egwene swept into the room.
"Lan please think about what you are doing," the Amrylin said. Lan turned to face her setting his feet wide apart, a stance, Aviendha noticed, of a man expecting a fight. "There is no way you can find Nynaeve over such a large expanse of space. She could be anywhere."
"I have to find her Egwene."
"I know and staying here is the best way to do that. Think. I have every agent in every country on the lookout for her. When we receive any sort of information of her whereabouts, which we will, you may leave to find her. But until then stay here, it is your best chance. You must give me your word."
Lan looked torn but finally saw the truth in her words.
"I give you my word."
XXXX
Along a well trodden road somewhere in the south of Kandor, two horses plodded along. One of their riders was a woman wearing a blue cloak in defence against the cold, biting wind. Her dark hair was gathered in a braid that hung two thirds of the way down her back. Her eyes were alert as her companion spoke.
"I'm sorry my lady but I go over it one more time?" He companion requested. He was a man in his early twenties, well muscled with sharp green eyes who seemed to be having trouble controlling his horse. He was nowhere near handsome but pleasant company.
"Yes, of course and its Yana, not 'my lady'."
"Yana," he said under his breath so she didn't hear him. "So you are an Aes Sedai."
"Yes."
"Of the Black Ajah."
"Correct."
"And those other women back there were Black Ajah too."
Yana nodded.
"And that man and those women were..."
"They claimed to be my friends," Yana said to him. "Even my husband. And I believe them."
"Why?"
Yana stared straight ahead down the road.
"I don't know. I can't explain it, it just makes sense. It fills the gaps up her," she touched her forehead with a gloved hand. "Like certain things have been removed and replaced with these wooden memories. I don't even know where I was born," she turned to face Vlad who found himself captive of her dark eyes. "I want my memories back."
"And we must find Mogheidan the Forsaken to do it?"
"Yes she holds the answers I am looking for. I'm sorry I dragged you into this," she smiled sadly at him. "You can leave if you want, there is nothing holding you here."
"I'm not going anywhere," Vlad said confidently and was rewarded by a stunning smile. "Why don't you open a gateway?" he asked a blush creeping onto his face.
"I have no idea where Mogheidan is except that she is in Kandor," Yana said frowning. "And it's too risky. If we appear too close she will sense me. I don't want her having any sort of advantage."
Yana dug her heels into her horse's flanks speeding into a brisk trot.
"We're going to have to speed up if we're going to reach the next village before nightfall. It will snow soon, I can feel it."
A/N sorry it took so long. been having some problems with the plot. Thanx so much for everyone reviews they have been really supportive so keep em coming. Thankyou for be so patient.