"You want what?"
The Sitter squealed, incredulous at his request.
After parting from his men, the woman in red had led Cael further through the impossible town, earning bows for herself, and gaining Cael quite a few stares from the townspeople. Apparently visitors were not very common. He didn't think it was just because he was a Prince; they couldn't know that about him yet. A number of paths had come together, creating a wide road which led straight to a massive tree, taller than the others, with veins of stone running through the wood. The interior had been more lavish than any palace he had seen before, with numerous carvings and statues set within the wide halls. There he had been made to wait for what seemed an age. Hunger and thirst both gnawed at him, but both were ignored. He had felt both often during other campaigns. Unfortunately, his provisions for the expedition were in his saddle packs, and those had left with his horse. So it was that Cael waited, feeling thoroughly offended. At last a new woman, one in a green gown embroidered with flowers and curled black hair, had come to fetch him. Several staircases later, he stood in the middle of a circular room, while seven women sat around him in carved wooden thrones. The floor seemed made of stone, but the walls were open, stone arches mixed with the growth of branches to provide both support for the roof and numerous windows from all sides. Cael just wished he could face all the women at once, rather than having half behind his back, no matter how he turned.
"An alliance." Cael repeated, not letting his discomfort show in his voice.
"Word has reached us of a massive fleet, arriving from across the ocean, completely sacking the Eastern Isles. The omens and portents all point to one thing: The Conquest, Foretold during the Breaking of the World. Aes Sedai as you are, you must know of the Foretelling I mean."
"Of course we know, child." A woman dressed in brown to his left said haughtily. She was quite round, and looked to be older than all but one or two of the others. Silver streaks ran through her dark red hair. "And if you were half as knowledgeable as you pretend, you would know it to be pointless. 'And the Hawk shall bring war and conquest to the east, binding with silver. The Raven will come to sit upon the crystal throne, to which the snake shall bow.'" She quoted. "Obviously, if it has been Foretold, it will come to pass. Nothing you do will change that. You don't even have proof an army exists, beyond some wild tales likely started by a drunken merchant."
Cael turned to face the woman, putting his back to those he had previously been facing. "Nowhere in that does it say my kingdom will be conquered. We live here, in the north, not the east." Some people had suggested other lands existed beyond the sea, which might make the entire continent the 'east' which was referred to, but Cael didn't believe that. He had to convince them to help, and if twisting a few words accomplished this, Cael would happily do so. "Malthus bears the wolf, not a snake. If anything, the Foretelling proves we will not be conquered. But if I am to defend my shores, I will need help. Together, we will be far stronger than we are separate. With your Power, these invaders can be driven back into the sea with ease. They'll likely sail for easier conquest, which will put them in the east. If I fight alone, nothing shall stop them from burning this forest next." Cael threatened. They needed to know the price of not cooperating.
"As for your proof…" Cael began, reaching beneath the hardened leather plates that made up his armor. He was glad he'd stored it here, rather than leaving it in a saddlebag. A square of folded blue cloth came out in his fist, which he tossed to the ground for all to see. It spread out upon hitting the floor, showing the golden hawk clutching bolts of lightning in its talons. The women could only stare at the image, which as good as declared their destruction.
"Enough." Came a voice from behind. The young woman who spoke clapped her hands once, ensuring all attention was on her. Cael had guessed she was the leader from the start, due to her position in the circle and the way the others respected her. She wore a pristine white gown, and had hair blacker than midnight, made to look even darker by her fair skin.
"You have made your request, and given your argument. It is time that we discussed this amongst ourselves. You shall be given food and shelter, Prince Malthasar, as will your men." She nodded her head to him politely.
Cael knew a dismissal when he heard it. Despite his desire to stress their need to help further, arguing now would hurt his cause. He could only bow and walk out, leaving them to their deliberations.