POV Moiraine

Moiraine did not discuss the tentative plans made between her and Siuan last night, provoked by Lans words, with Lan himself of course, even a hint of Moiraines plan to convince Lan to use his influence with Borderlands would have put his back up and Lan Mandragrons stubbornness is a stuff of legends, he would do anything if Moiraine asked but that, for him death of Malkier is a personal failing, for all that he was a babe still in cradle when Malkier fell. The duty to avenge Malkier is his alone and it is not a burden he will share with anyone, he never even acknowledged other Borderland Monarchs regard for him, or the people of Borderlands reverence for him, for all that he never claimed his birthright as a king, the man has pride enough for ten kings.

So no, what she instead discussed with him is what the Dragon Reborn should be educated in and how.

"He needs martial training of course and not just in the sword, in a wide variety of weapons and an ability to fight without a weapon too, using his hands and feet. And he needs to be proficient enough in at least one weapon to go toe to toe with a Blademaster. The lads father needs to be involved to make it happen, you made it so that I can't exactly stay with him for long enough to teach him myself. So we have to induce Tam al'Thor to teach his son, that means we need to contrive a situation so that Tam takes up the sword again, at least to practice if nothing else", Lan said seriously.

Moiraine sighed and said, "Of course, martial training is what comes first to your mind", seeing the look on Lans face at her words, Moiraine sighed again in exasperation, "Oh, drop that look, I was just being irascible, of course he needs to know how to swing a sword, the skill will serve him well in times to come even disregarding its use of a way to show off his manliness to other men," Moiraine muttered sardonically, "I will think of a way to nudge Tam on the path we need him on. Go on, what else, you are the only one of us two who had the training of a Prince, a King even."

At that last jab, Lans face became even more stony, but he answered, "Horse riding, intricacies of strategy and tactics, an understanding of logistics, history, leadership, hunting, tracking and the Old Tongue. And if you really want him to have the full princely education then etiquette, politics, governance and at least some education in the arts."

Moiraine eyes widened at the last one and asked, "The arts, really? What arts are you educated in, Lord Mandragoran?"

A put upon look flashed across Lans face for an instant before he replied, "Is that really relevant for the topic at hand Moiraine Sedai?"

"Answer the question Lan Gaidin", Moiraine demanded mulishly, with a barely there smirk on her face.

Now Lan truly sighed and answered, "I have a comprehensive education in Borderland poetry, Aes Sedai. And I will speak no more of it."

Moiraine pouted a bit at that before continuing the conversation, "Fine, have it your way. Well, that was some list. We can start with the history and the Old Tongue, in three to four years, I think. Introduce history as old stories, starting with Manetherens history, its history would make for some excellent bedtime tales I wager, full of heroics and romance, some of them even paint Aes Sedai in a kinder light. They should at least ignite an interest in the subject. Teaching Old Tongue should be easy enough, if a few of his friends join him in the lessons and I frame it as secret language to share with his friends. And we can do something about introducing him to strategy and tactics too, through board games, the Stones should serve I think. What do you think?"

"As sound as any plan I ever heard, simple and has room for some flexibility", Lan nodded with a bare hint of approval.

"Glad to have your approval, do you think I can get Agelmar to write a book on strategy, tactics and warfare?", Moiraine asked Lan, just as the man took a sip of their morning tea.

Moiraine was hoping for a spit take from Lan, but all she managed was him swallowing the hot tea and a slight widening of eyes. Light! Does anything make him show a reaction.

Lan stared at Moiraine, raised a single brow and asked slowly in a flat voice, "You want to ask, Agelmar Jagad, Lord of Fal Dara, nephew to King of Shienar and one of the Five Great Captains, to write a book on warfare for you. The man is a legend on the battlefield, rivaled by only four other living men, the likes of which haven't been seen in a century if not more. His mind is a national treasure, Moiraine. It just might well be treason to share his wisdom without the Kings blessing."

"That did not answer my question, Lan", Moiraine replied tartly.

Lans shoulders fell half an inch and sighed before replying, "I would not say its out of your reach if you put your mind to it, but why Moiraine? Warfare is not a thing that could be learnt from books, it needs at least some measure of talent and a great amount of hands on learning and experience."

Moiraine shrugged her shoulders and said, "Just an idle thought for now. Of the Five Great Captains only Davram Bashere and Agelmar Jagad have true experience battling Trollocs and Myrdraal. And I have never met Bashere. Surely there are differences in fighting against Trollocs and fighting against men. His insight in the matter might be useful."

"Well, thats true enough, more often than not men are outnumbered five to one fighting Trollocs if not more, but Trollocs are a lot stupider. As you well know I have plenty experience fighting Trollocs, but you are right in that Agelmar might have a different perspective when the numbers are scaled to war proportions. Anything else, Moiraine?", Lan asked.

"No, not about this anyway. Lets get on to the exploration part of this expedition. The Royal Palace of Manetheren should on up above these mountains. We will start from the one we are on, but I doubt its on this one. Those ancient Manethereen were a paranoid lot, so I doubt they built their Royal Palace on the same mountain the Waygate is on, however much of a easy chokepoint a Waygate is, it is still an avenue of attack. If we are lucky we might find traces of barrack and some merchant guildhouses though", Moiraine said cheerily as she dusted and washed her hands after finishing her breakfast.