POV Moiraine
There are only two allies that Moiraine could depend and completely trust for the monumental task Moiraine has undertaken. Siuan, who is in White Tower and rapidly climbing ranks in Blue Ajah and her warder Lan. Moiraine has been fortunate in her allies, both Siuan and Lan are extraordinary in their chosen fields, Siuan, one of strongest channelers recorded in last couple of centuries, an equal to Moiraine and only below legendary Cadsuane in strength and a political mastermind.
Lan, a swordsman of peerless skill even among blademasters, well versed in battlefield strategy and tactics, if not a Great Captian only a step below them, Diademed Battle Lord of fallen Malkier, who has the respect and allegiance of all Borderlands. But with a word could Lan call upon all the swords of Borderlands and Monarchs of Shienar, Kandor, Arafel and Saldea will do it themselves freely and eagerly. With allies such as these Moiraine sometimes wonders whether the Creator himself had a hand in this weaving. Light willing let it be so.
Even with Siuan and Lan, there is a need for more trustworthy allies, both in the White Tower and wider world, to be ready for what is coming, yet trustworthy allies are hard to find, servants of Dark One are legions among humanity, hiding in society at places both high and low eager to do his bidding.
Ah, Servants are Dark One are legions among Humanity, but we share this world one other, The Ogier, in all of history there was never a Ogier who served Dark One, why, no Shadowspawn would ever willingly put even a toe inside a Stedding.
While Ogier were few in number and unwilling to get involved in Human affairs after getting badly stung during the Hundred Years war that followed Artur Hawkwings death, they have ever been a force for Light during Trolloc Wars and War of Shadow, they have been steadfast allies of Humanity against Dark One and their wrath, when roused, is said to be a terrible thing.
Yet Ogier are a deliberate people, it will take considerable work and time to get them involved, but first Moiraine needs to gauge the internal situation among Ogier, that means visiting a Stedding, that means losing the True Source, at least for a time, thought alone enough to send a shudder down Moiraines spine,if not for her training.
Hmmm, Ogier are long lived, longer than Aes Sedai even, while hundreds of generations have passed for Humanity since The Breaking only sixty have passed for Ogier, they are a people with long memories and guardians of history that's forgotten by most of the world, even the White Tower. Perhaps their knowledge and wisdom alone are enough reasons to warrant a visit. I could ask their greatest scholars to compile all the information about the Forsaken they have, which will be very useful with whats coming. Very well, a visit to Ogier to plant seeds for an alliance. What else is available.
There is Cairhein and Sun Throne, I suppose, even with Galladrin Raitins ascension to the Throne, it is within my ability to wrest it from him, especially with an eager White Tower behind my back, yet I have no time to get bogged down in that particular pit of vipers. Then there is a connection to Caemlyn and Lion Throne, through my half brother Taringails marraige to Morgase Trakand, there was a time, long past now, when Taringail was my brother instead of my half brother, that connection to Lion Throne is a tenuous one at best, I will just keep that in the back of my mind for now.
For all that I have no interest in wading into Cairheinan politics, incomes from my estates in Cairhein continue to serve me well, after all tracing the money has always been a legitimate tool of spy work. While White Tower and my own Blue Ajah will provide however much gold I want if asked, the records of those withdrawls are available to any Aes Sedai and Blue Sister interested enough to look, respectively. And I do not need that scrutiny. After all the gold from my personal estates fund my own private eyes and ears outside of Tower and Ajah and my travels.
I will journey to the Tower to catch up with Siuan before questing for remnants of Manatheren, after all its been three years since I put my foot in the White Tower.
