The Dragon in their midst.
Sheriam sat at one of the long tables in the dining hall eating breakfast. It was still early, but not as early as she would have liked. There was always more work to be done. In spite of the hour, there were quite a number of sisters already up, eating their own breakfast or already on their way out. Many wore their shawls, even here, even at this hour, especially those who had remained here at the Tower with Elaida, and also many of the Red and the Blue. They hadn't had such a strife between the Ajahs at the camp, but the tension at the Tower had been great, and it had not simply evaporated on Egwene's orders. Neither the Red nor the Blue would forget the split any time soon.
She had almost finished her meal when she felt the bond, Arinvar's level of alertness soaring. She glanced around, noticed several other sisters do the same thing. Dropping her spoon into the nearly empty bowl, she got up and strode out.
She had not gone far when Chubain approached her, looking harried.
"Keeper! The Dragon is here, in the Tower," he said urgently.
Sheriam started. "Here? Did he Travel in?" They had to find some way to prevent that, their own actions of the last few days had shown how easy it was to come and go unnoticed. Even a place like the Tower would be impossible to defend if other channelers like the Dragon, the Asha'man or anyone else, would simply open a Gateway right into the building.
Chubain looked uneasy. "Not directly into the Tower. He must have entered the city somewhere else, he walked up to the Sunset Gate and.. Well, he just said he was the Dragon Reborn, and that he wanted to see the Amyrlin. Didn't shout it out or anything, just said it calm as spring rain."
Sheriam frowned. At least a calm approach at one of the gates boded well, when he could have opened a Gateway within the Tower grounds itself.
"And where is he now?"
"Still in the entrance hall, Sheriam Sedai," Chubain replied. "Shielded by a full circle, I think some were forming a second circle to make sure, and a group of my men and Warders has also gathered to guard him."
There was no doubt about that last part of the statement, she still felt Arinvar's high alertness. Damn him and the other Warders too for being so stubborn, as if they could do anything at all against the Dragon if he were to try something! Warders were useful in some situations, but a direct threat from a powerful channeler should -could- only be handled by sisters alone. Of course there was no use telling the Warders that, they would die trying. Which was exactly the problem. Well hopefully it would not come to that here.
"Does the Amyrlin know yet?" she asked.
"I was on my way to tell her myself when I ran into you, Keeper," he said.
Sheriam nodded. "I will tell her. Have the Dragon wait where he is, it may be a while. I do not know if the Amyrlin is awake yet."
She needed time to hopefully contact Mesaana, and also it would not do to appear too eager to cater to the Dragon's whims. Dragon or no, this was the White Tower, and Aes Sedai ruled here. As long as he was not tearing the place down, it was better to make him wait a few minutes more rather than less; it would strengthen the Amyrlin's position in the upcoming talk and negotiations.
"I will let him know," Chubain said, even as he bowed, turned and strode back the other way.
Sheriam flagged down the first novice she saw, a middle-aged woman with a long black hair, but dressed in novice white. "Get my stole from my anteroom," she instructed. "And wait with it at the doors to the Great Hall."
The woman sprinted off and Sheriam went to Egwene's rooms. The Tower was stirring, word going around like wildfire. There would not be much time to prepare.
Gawyn was in front of Egwene's rooms as he had been since they had retaken the Tower. Didn't he ever need some real rest? Sheriam thought she hadn't even seen him depart from his post to relieve himself, but he must do that occasionally. She wondered briefly what the boy would do if he knew that his vigilant watch had been futile and Egwene had already been taken. He seemed dedicated to the Light, but he was also completely smitten with Egwene, and had defied his duties to Elaida for her. Sheriam thought it quite possible he would follow Egwene even if he did learn what had happened. The risk was too great, of course, they would hide her new allegiance until the Last Battle. She returned Gawyn's polite bow with a brisk nod as she passed.
"Are you awake, Mother?" She knocked on Egwene's door, cracked it open as Egwene called 'come'.
Egwene was still in her shift, apparently just getting up. Fortunately no one else was there, not even her maid. Chesa was a Friend of the Dark, Sheriam herself had picked her for Egwene, but the young woman was not near high enough to be included in what they needed to discuss. She stepped inside, closed the door and wove a quick ward.
"Get dressed quickly. The Dragon Reborn is here, and he wants to see you." She no longer bothered with a formal address when they were alone, Egwene was Amyrlin in name only. As had been the plan all along.
"Rand?" Egwene started.
Sheriam nodded, even as she channeled into the Call Rod and forestalled Egwene's motion toward the bell cord. "No maids, I will help with the buttons."
Egwene nodded. She turned to her clothes chest, pulled on a fresh shift and a green velvet dress with lace and embroidery, more fancy than the ones she had usually worn in the camp, more fitting her station as Amyrlin. Sheriam approved, a visual reminder of Egwene's status was very important. It was good if the Dragon trusted her as a childhood friend, but not if he didn't realized her current station. Or her presumed current station.
Sheriam had done up most of the buttons and Egwene reached for her hair brush before the Eye and gateway opened, and Mesaana arrived.
Sheriam curtsied deeply, Egwene fell to her knees.
"What is it?" Mesaana asked. She sounded somewhat disturbed, probably she had still been asleep, but apprehensive as well. The Chosen would know that Sheriam would only call her for good reason.
"The Dragon is here," Sheriam reported. "He wants to see Egwene."
For a moment Mesaana was silent, frowning.
"Damn," she said then. "A few more days and we'd have the numbers we could take him. But I don't know of any way to get a full circle around him that is all Black, without others interfering." She glanced at Sheriam.
"No, I don't either." She shook her head. The Amyrlin would be expected to receive the Dragon in the Great Hall, they could seal the meeting to the Hall but not dismiss half the Sitters. And if they made him come to Egwene's study, they still couldn't form an all-Black circle in there.
"Then you will receive him and find out what he has come here for. Do you have any idea what he wants?" Mesaana asked, turning to Egwene. She added, "Get up and continue to get ready."
Egwene rose and shook her head. "No, I haven't seen him for quite a long time. But it's not likely he has come to ask for help or advise, even now it is me rather than Elaida or Siuan on the Amyrlin Seat. He always was stubborn and he has tried to stay free from Aes Sedai ties from the very start, it is more likely he considers himself strong enough to make demands from us now. I will dissuade him of that notion, of course," she added quickly.
She took her brush and brushed her hair while Sheriam finished doing up the last buttons.
Mesaana looked pensive, tapping her lip as she often seemed to do when in thought.
"See if you can gauge how he is, how far the Taint and the chaos have affected him. Also see if you can set up another meeting, at another place if necessary. Tell him that whatever he wants, it needs to be talked over with the Hall and you, together with a small delegation, will meet with him at a later time. If all else fails, see if you can arrange some contact with the Aes Sedai who are with him -or on second thought, do so in any case. And do not seal the meeting to the Hall, I want to see him myself."
Egwene nodded. "Yes, High Mistress." Then she paused as she put her brush back on the table. "He is such a strong ta'veren. Won't that be dangerous? What if he makes me say or do something I do not want to."
Mesaana shook her head. "Not likely. There have been Black Ajah around him, and none have revealed themselves. Nor can he see or feel the Turning -there was a weave for that, but even if he remembers it, he will not be allowed to channel, of course." The Chosen glanced at Sheriam.
"He is shielded, and will be until he leaves the Tower grounds," she confirmed.
"Ta'veren are always unpredictable, but he nor anyone else can see who is a Friend of the Dark just by looking at them. Even Sniffers can only smell recent violence, not the Great Lord's touch itself," Mesaana said.
Egwene sighed in relief, even as she looked over the jewelry on her dresser and picked out a richly worked silver belt and a silver and green hand ornament. She put them on, then last of all picked up the multicolored stole.
Sheriam looked Egwene over critically, and was satisfied with her appearance. The timing seemed about correct also, for as far as she could judge without having seen the Dragon, and his demeanor, for herself. She glanced at Mesaana, who nodded.
"Go."
Mesaana Traveled, and as soon as the gateway closed, Sheriam opened the door to the hall.
Out in the open once again, Sheriam fell into step beside Egwene. Gawyn of course followed as if he were the Amyrlin's Warder already.
They walked without speaking until they turned a corner and the tile of the corridor ahead of them was colored red, where it should have been white. It glistened as if wet, almost as if it were covered in blood, but there were no pools and splashes like there would be if there really had been some kind of slaughter. It had to be another one of these bubbles of chaos.
They stopped, and Gawyn reached for his sword, but Egwene held up her hand.
"No, Gawyn, this isn't anything that can be fought with a blade."
What was it with men, that they wanted to fight everything with their sword? Sheriam could still feel Arinvar's tension, and she knew he would be among those guarding the Dragon. At least Egwene was sensible in this respect.
"There seem to be less occurrences than there were," Egwene noted, even as they turned away and took a different route to the Great Hall. "But they still happen. Can't we ward against them in some manner?"
"They are a sign of the Dark One's touch. Like the bubbles of evil that time at Salidar, but more spread out," Sheriam replied. "It can happen so often here because it is drawn to chaos, and there certainly was lots of that while Elaida held the Tower. But indeed, there are already less reports of these incidents now that the Tower is whole again, they should grow rarer still, and perhaps stop entirely."
She could answer this truthfully, and she thought the situation would stabilize soon. It was chaos that attracted these happenings, not the Great Lord's essence. Nor was it intelligent. It was a mindless thing, something that neither could nor would care about the sisters' allegiance.
"I hope so," Egwene replied. She halted as they saw a novice walk the other way. "A little back and to the left, the corridor has turned red. Get some cord -the masons should have that- and rope off the corridor before someone wanders onto it."
The novice was a young woman, she looked to be in her late twenties. Sheriam had given up keeping track of all the new arrivals and did not know her name. Spreading her skirts, the novice made a deep curtsy. "Yes, Mother, " she said and dashed off.
"A sensible precaution," Sheriam remarked. Whether the strange floor would actually harm anyone she didn't know, but she wouldn't take the risk herself.
As they came near the Great Hall, there were many more Aes Sedai in the corridors. Word must now have spread through the entire Tower. In front of the doors to the Hall, a large group had gathered. She spotted the novice woman she had sent out earlier, and she took the blue stole, draping it around her shoulders. No matter that most sisters wore their shawls, Sheriam had not worn her stole to breakfast, she did not even wear it most of the time when she worked in her anteroom. Apart from Romanda, all sisters had given her proper respect since they had returned, and she felt less loyalty to the Blue now than she had before. Perhaps some day she would be able to wear her true colors. Not yet though. The sisters who even now stepped back to make way for Egwene and her would turn on her like lightning if they knew.
They entered the Great Hall and Sheriam saw the Sitters were all there. Three now of each Ajah, the Yellow had also made their choices known late last evening and Romanda, Sedore and Doesine were seated on the Yellow chairs. Doesine had been involved in the hunt for the Black Ajah, but she did not have a Warder, she would be taken soon enough. Only the Red chairs were still empty. No one seemed to know where the Red Sitters had gone to, and the Red were reluctant to replace the absent Sitters. Sheriam considered it good riddance and hadn't encouraged replacements, although of course it was ridiculous that all Sitters of one Ajah were excluded from the Hall's decisions at a time like this. If it had been any other Ajah she would have suggested Egwene order them to pick at least one or two sisters to represent their interests.
The Hall itself looked better now that the rose window was done. There was no hiding the fact that the Tower had taken great damage only a few days ago, but the masons had worked day and night, literally, working in shifts by great balls of light woven with the Power. The Power had also been used to dry the masonry at each stage, and no matter what the state of the rest of the Tower, at least the Great Hall was whole again.
Egwene had also glanced around the Hall, had seen all Sitters were present. She called over the novice woman who had brought Sheriam's stole, who was still standing nearby.
"Go to the entrance hall and tell Chubain to bring the Dragon here, child," she instructed.
The novice ran off, and Egwene make her way to the Amyrlin Seat, and Sheriam followed her to her own seat.
"So the Dragon has finally come," Yukiri said. "I don't suppose we can hold him?"
Egwene shook her head. "Not against his will. Apart from his own strength, he controls a number of armies only a fool would challenge."
"So what does he want?" Lelaine wanted to know.
Egwene threw up her hands. "I do not know, it has been some time since I have seen him. We will listen to him and see what he has to say. He is the Dragon Reborn and has great influence, as much or more as any monarch. Of course, none of that means he will be allowed to make demands of us."
Several Sitters nodded.
"Some of us should go with him," Andara said. "Keep tabs on him and send regular reports to the Tower."
Lelaine snorted. "He is surrounded by Aes Sedai. They rarely if ever report back."
"I mean to address that," Egwene assured them. "We will not send more sisters to join him, but I will demand the sisters who are with him report in more frequently."
Lelaine nodded in approval, so did Romanda, until she saw Lelaine do the same thing and stopped, scowling. Sheriam looked forward to the day she could tell those two to stop their bickering and send them to Silviana if they kept it up. Power play was part of being Aes Sedai but the way these two acted was just childish, and all too often they put their personal feuds above taking care of Tower business.
"He must be crazy by now, even if the Taint is gone, he channeled for so long before Saidin was cleansed," Doesine said, frowning. "I wonder if he will allow us to Heal him."
"He has Corele, Nynaeve, and several of the Asha'man with him," Moria pointed out. "I would like to tie him to the Tower as much as anyone, but if anything that affects him can be Healed, he hardly needs us."
The Sitters who had been with the rebels nodded, those who had remained in the Tower frowned. Apparently they had even less information about al'Thor than the Little Tower had managed to gather.
Malind looked at the sisters gathered at the doors. "Shouldn't this meeting be sealed to the Hall?" she asked.
Egwene shook her head. "The sisters who hold the shield will have to be included, and I am sure the Warders will insist on keeping an eye on him as well."
"And they should," Samalin put in with a glance at her fellow Green Sitter.
There was a stir among the sisters at the door, and even those who did not have a Warder knew al'Thor was approaching. The Sitters fell quiet, looking apprehensive.
For some reason, it still took longer than expected for al'Thor to appear in the Hall. But when he did, even Sheriam couldn't help but feel some apprehension.
The Dragon walked into the room, alone, the Warders remaining at the entrance although several stood at the doors, alert as ever. Arinvar was one of them.
Sheriam only glanced at Arinvar briefly, for most of her attention was drawn to the Dragon himself. He was dressed simply, a light shirt, brown trousers, scuffed boots and a worn cloak. It was a good disguise as far as disguises went, but Sheriam still wondered how he had managed to get to the Tower's gate without being noticed, because his bearing did not fit his clothes. He walked tall and confident, with a commanding presence like a King or other ruler. And his face was as hard as that of a Borderlander after a Trolloc raid. He held his hands behind his back as he walked into the room, stopping in the center of the Flame on the floor.
"Egwene," he said, his voice loud and clear. He nodded in respect or greeting. "You have done your part, I see. The Amyrlin's stole fits you well."
For a man who could channel, he was extremely calm, standing there with the Sitters of the Hall all around him, the shield held by two full circles glowing in full strength. And he was so strong ta'veren! Sheriam could feel something tug and pull at her mind, making it difficult to concentrate. She could understand Egwene's concern now! Not that she felt any pressure to spill her secrets, it wasn't targeted like that, but the sheer overwhelming presence of such a strong ta'veren made it hard to think. She hoped fervently none of the Black or turned would let slip anything by accident, and decided to only speak up herself if absolutely necessary.
Egwene had also studied him, she even leaned forward in the Amyrlin Seat.
"What has happened to you?" Egwene asked.
"I was broken," al'Thor said, "And then, remarkably, I was reforged. I think he almost had me, Egwene. It was Cadsuane who set me to fixing it, though she did so by accident. Still, I shall have to lift her exile, I suspect."
Lift her exile? Sheriam hadn't even known Cadsuane had been exiled, there hadn't been any reports from those near al'Thor for many weeks. She'd have preferred Cadsuane stay as far from the Dragon as possible, but she could not quickly think of any good reasons to give such advise. Cadsuane was most definitely someone who should be taken, but doing so would be dangerous -Elza had sent a report about the set of ter'angreal Cadsuane had- and she would be difficult to handle even afterwards.
"Why have you come before the Amyrlin Seat?" Egwene asked. "Have you come to make a petition, or have you come to surrender yourself to the White Tower's guidance?"
As if al'Thor would ever do such a thing, it was merely a way of asserting the Tower should guide him, even if everyone knew he wasn't likely to submit.
It didn't seem to faze al'Thor. He studied Egwene, still with his hands clasped behind his back, and only now the sisters who held the shield filed into the Hall, lining up against the wall on either side of the large doors. Others crowded in the doorway after the twenty-six had gone through. Sheriam still wasn't sure who Mesaana impersonated, but surely the Chosen had managed to take up position, either among those in the doorway or by taking a place in the circles. There were a number of Red in the circles whom Sheriam did not know well, and she spotted a few of the more reclusive Browns as well.
Al'Thor ignored all those behind him. He studied the room, looked at each of the Sitters in turn, his eyes lingering on the three Red seats, all still empty. Now Sheriam cursed the fact that she had not insisted on at least one new Sitter for the Red. Would al'Thor think the Reds no longer held position in the Hall at all, even though their seats were still there, or that the Red Sitters were told to remain out of this particular meeting? Either was not good. Sheriam hated the Red but making an impression on men who could channel was the one thing the Ajah was useful for. At least those in the circles and in the doorway all wore their shawls.
"I've hated you before," the Dragon said, turning back to Egwene. "I've felt a lot of emotions, in recent months. It seems that from the very moment that Moiraine came to the Two Rivers, I've struggled to avoid Aes Sedai strings of control. And yet I allowed other strings -more dangerous strings- to wrap around me unseen.
"It occurs to me that I've been trying too hard. I worried that if I'd listen to you, you'd control me. It wasn't a desire for independence that drove me, but a fear of irrelevance. A fear that the actions I accomplished would be yours, and not my own." He paused, hesitated. "I should have wished for such a convenient set of backs upon which to heap the blame for my crimes."
Sheriam frowned, glanced at Egwene and saw her frown as well. Al'Thor's language and tone were formal, strangely so for a man who came from the same simple background as Egwene. Egwene had shaped up well, but she still hadn't reached this level of formality, more like a man who was of noble birth. And what was he getting at? He made it sound like he regretted the way he had shied away from Aes Sedai control, but to think he had made so completely changed his mind and would surrender himself to the Tower, was too much to hope for. Unless he really had gone crazy. He seemed too calm for that, but not all forms of madness came with ranting and raving.
"Rand," Egwene said, "I would like to have some sisters talk to you, to see if.. if anyone is wrong with you. Do you understand?"
Yes, if only, Sheriam thought skeptically. On the other hand, if he were less concerned about Aes Sedai strings… Perhaps there would be a way to form a Healing circle that was all Black, with Sedore and Dagdara and Romanda theirs now, too.
"Oh, I do understand, Egwene," al'Thor smiled as he spoke. "And I'm sorry to deny you, but I have too much to do. People starve because of me, others live in terror of what I have done. A friend rides to his death without allies. There is so little time to do what I must."
"Rand, we have to make sure," Egwene tried.
Al'Thor nodded, but what he said was, "This is the part I regret. I did not wish to come into your center of power, which you have achieved so well, and defy you. But it cannot be helped. You must know what my plans are so that you can prepare.
"The last time I tried to seal the Bore, I was forced to do it without the help of the women. That was the part which led to disaster, though they may have been wise to deny me their strength. Well, blame must be spread evenly, but I will not make the same mistakes a second time. I believe that Saidin and Saidar must both be used. I don't have the answers yet."
Sheriam frowned again. This man was the Dragon Reborn, but he was also Rand al'Thor. Now he spoke of the Sealing as if he had done it in person, instead of as his previous reincarnation. Again, was it a good sign or a bad? She didn't know.
"Which one are you?" Egwene said softly, barely above a whisper, as she leaned forward again.
"I am both," al'Thor replied. "I remember him. Lews Therin. I can see his entire life, every desperate moment. I can see it like a dream, but a clear dream. My own dream. It's part of me."
That was valuable information, it meant he would indeed know about the weave to detect the turning, as well as any other weaves and tricks from the Age of Legends. Perhaps that was where al'Thor got his formal manners? Lews Therin had been from a more affluent background. Either way, if he had such great influence in al'Thor, it was something that should not be underestimated.
"In one month's time," al'Thor continued, "I am going to travel to Shayol Ghul and break the last remaining seals on the Dark One's prison. I want you to help."
He was going to Shayol Ghul, with the seals, and he told them exactly when he was going to do it? It couldn't be that easy. Of course he would not come alone, would have his Asha'man and a number of the Aes Sedai who were sworn to him around him, and he would be wary for traps or traitors… but knowing his plan they could certainly take advantage of it. Sheriam almost smiled, she stopped herself just in time from doing that, but she had forgotten to appear shocked. That lack of concentration again! Fortunately the Dragon had been watching Egwene, and she responded as no doubt she would have, if she had still been on the side of the Light.
"Rand, no," Egwene said urgently.
"I'm going to need you, all of you," he continued. "I hope to the Light that this time, you will give me your support. I want you to meet with me the day before we go to Shayol Ghul. And then, then we will discuss my terms."
"Your terms?" Egwene demanded.
"You will see," al'Thor said and turned as if to leave!
Sheriam glanced at Egwene, ready to interfere if she did not. They didn't know near enough yet, had not arranged for contact with those near him either. It wasn't necessary.
"Rand al'Thor," Egwene said, rising. "You will not turn your back on the Amyrlin Seat!"
He froze, then turned back toward her.
"You can not break the seals. That would risk letting the Dark One free."
"A risk we must take. Clear away the rubble. The Bore must be opened fully again before it can be sealed."
"We must talk about this," Egwene said. "Plan."
"That's why I came to you. To let you plan," the Dragon pointed out.
Egwene sat down now al'Thor was once again speaking to her.
"I must talk it over with the Hall, Rand. We must discuss this in more detail."
"We can speak of it when we next meet," al'Thor said.
"A day in advance?" Egwene asked. "No, Rand, that doesn't leave us enough time to work out the details, by then it will be too late to bring up any concerns or make changes. Come here again a week from now, we can meet in my study."
"I really have too much to do," al'Thor replied. "Meet with me at the place known as the Field of Merrilor, just to the North. We will talk before I go to Shayol Ghul. For now, I do not want to defy you, but I must go."
"If you can not come yourself, then let me meet with some of those close to you. You have worked with Aes Sedai, your Asha'man have even bonded them, but none of us here have ever worked with your men. Send Jahar Narishma and Damer in your place, or Logain, to arrange for some contact with those held at the Black Tower. And I wish to see those sisters with you too, they are sworn to you but they are still Aes Sedai."
That was good thinking, it seemed a completely natural request to make.
"I need them too, but perhaps Jahar or Damer can come for a brief meeting," al'Thor conceded.
"See that they do, Rand," Egwene said. "And let the sister who bonded them come along as well. If we fumble weaves or drop links, because we do not know what we're doing together with the men, while the seals are broken… That can't be allowed to happen."
"A week from now, but I will see whom I can miss when the time comes," al'Thor said. "And now, Egwene al'Vere, Watcher of the Seals, Flame of Tar Valon, may I have your permission to withdraw?" He gave a slight bow as he spoke, hardly more than a tip of the head.
Egwene hesitated, and Sheriam studied the Dragon. He was still calm, calm as spring rain Chubain had said, but there was something dangerous in his eyes as well. It would not do to push him too far.
"Very well," Egwene said. "But this is not ended, Rand."
"There are no endings, Egwene," al'Thor said, and with a small nod he turned and walked out. He no longer held his hands clasped, and Sheriam now saw the Dragon was missing his left hand. She started, how had that happened? Had someone come close to taking him again? She would have to learn the details, and learn from their mistakes.
The sisters at the door parted for him, those who held his shield filing out after him, as did the Warders. They would escort him to the gate, at least.
As the Dragon disappeared from sight, Sheriam felt her head clear. Egwene also raised a hand towards her head, shaking it slightly.
"So powerful, it was overwhelming!" Saroiya said, gasping for breath.
Sheriam looked around and noticed several of the Sitters were slumped in their seats, breathing hard as if exhausted.
"What?" Egwene asked.
"I tried to speak but I could barely breathe," Lelaine said, breathing now as if she had run all the way across the Tower grounds.
"It felt as if something squeezed my heart," Andara complained. "I was afraid it would stop completely."
"Ta'veren," Janya said. "But extremely strong! I could not move."
Sheriam took stock and noticed those who had been turned seemed less affected, but it had been disorienting even for her. They had to find a way to ward or guard against the effect if they were going to make any move against him!
"How could you just speak to him, Mother?" Takima asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps because it was me he wanted to talk to." Egwene shrugged, frowned. "We need to discuss his words. The Hall of the Tower will reconvene in one hour's time."
Egwene glanced quickly at Sheriam -that had been one thing they hadn't arranged. But meeting in an hour would give them time to talk it over, and of course there would be a meeting of the Hall after an audience like this. What was decided there would not matter in the end, but they would have to go through the motions. Not all Sitters were theirs yet, not to mention all the nosy spectators who would know if, when and how long the Sitters met, even if the meeting itself would be Sealed to the Hall. Sheriam nodded.
"He can't be allowed to break the seals," Lyrelle said decisively, and several Sitters nodded.
"What can we do? If you say we can't hold him," Yukiri said.
Egwene shook her head. "I don't think we could have held him. Apart from his armies, there was just something about him.. I think he might have broken that shield without a struggle."
That was ridiculous of course, no man could break through a double shield, ta'veren or not. But they would speak of that later. She needed this hour to meet with Mesaana again.
"Enough," she said. "We will speak of this when the Hall meets. The Amyrlin needs this time to think it over and she has not yet broken her fast. I suggest any one of you who also still need to eat do so. Shall I have breakfast brought to your study?"
The last was addressed to Egwene and was not, of course, a suggestion. She waited for Egwene's nod only for appearances' sake before getting up and leading Egwene out of the Hall, flagging down an Accepted along the way to bring food from the kitchens.
-0-
Mesaana arrived quickly.
"That didn't go off too badly for an unexpected visit," she said. "In a week we should easily be ready for his envoy, whoever it is. The greatest question is whether to take al'Thor at Shayol Ghul or at the Field of Merrilor, both have their advantages and disadvantages."
"He is so strong ta'veren, can we even plan against him?" Egwene asked. She sounded awed.
"The Great Lord's reach will help against that," Mesaana replied. "Al'Thor may be ta'veren, the Great Lord can also influence the Pattern, and the closer to the Bore the greater that influence. Perhaps it will be best to let him come to Shayol Ghul. Al'Thor's ta'veren protection won't be near as strong there."
"I noticed those who were turned were less affected," Sheriam said.
"That does not surprise me. All the more reason to keep working on turning those we can." Mesaana scowled. "I wish we knew a way to safely take those with Warders. The bond really is a primitive, perverted invention, although I suppose it is effective from their point of view."
Sheriam thought of her bond with Arinvar. It did run deep and personal, and it was useful, at least in today's world. The protection the Warders provided the bonded non-Black sisters was only one example, Arinvar had helped her flee the Tower when Elaida took charge, and she knew plenty other cases where a Warder had indeed saved his Aes Sedai. Maybe in another time, and when Aes Sedai weren't held by the Oaths -or supposedly held by them- there had been no need. She could not pinpoint why it bothered the Chosen so much, knew it was not just the fact that it thwarted their turning. Of course that was not important right now. She too would like to find a method to deal with the Warders, to turn all.
"I will set our Green to work on improving the way to control the Warders through the Bond," Sheriam said. "There may be a way to make the compulsion more secure and less noticeable."
It was of only a little help, there still was the increased risk at the taking itself, but they might come up with something useful.
Mesaana nodded. "Do it. Now about the meeting of the Hall. No doubt most will be screaming al'Thor needs to be stopped, as Lyrelle already started to."
"It would be the most sensible response, I would have tried to dissuade him myself," Egwene said.
"Then don't go against the most obvious course, we will make sure no actual action is taken. Those without Warders will be turned later today, are there any of those with Warders who are likely to cause particular trouble?" Mesaana asked.
"Lelaine, and Malind," Sheriam said. "Lelaine is always hard to handle, Malind is Kandori, she will resist any possibility of breaking the seals harder than those who aren't Borderlanders, and she will make sure that any decisions made are carried out. Might even try to get involved herself."
"If they make trouble, take them. These are turbulent times, if those of the Hall or their Warders act different, it would more likely be ascribed to serious, but legitimate, Tower concerns," Mesaana said.
Sheriam agreed. "The Dragon's visit was fortunate, a lot of our activities will be ascribed to preparations for or against his plans, now."
A knock on the door announced the Accepted who brought Egwene's breakfast. Sheriam took it from her and closed the door, rewove the ward.
"Apart from his envoy, I want to take the sisters who are with him. Al'Thor ignored that request, but you will contact them and order them again to report in," Mesaana instructed. "Same orders for all, of course, even if we may not be able to take all of those who have Warders."
"Yes, High Mistress," Egwene replied. She paused, then continued. "I had called on Nynaeve to come to the Tower, before…before my turning. She has not responded. I think she still has trouble seeing me as Amyrlin, she was the Wisdom in my village after all, and I her apprentice."
Mesaana snorted. "Call her again, with as much urgency as you can without alerting her that something is wrong. If she still balks afterwards at doing as she is told, well, we can deal with that."
Egwene looked sick, but she was smart enough not to protest. "Yes, High Mistress."
"Also, have someone take Tiana. She handed a letter to al'Thor just before he entered the Hall, I want to know where she got it from and what was in it."
"Tiana?" Sheriam said, surprised. "I will get someone on it right away." She wondered what Tiana could possibly have handed to the Dragon, and why, but of course turning her would be the quickest way to find out.
"I will go after a larger place where more circles can work at the turning while the Hall meets," Mesaana said decisively. "Hold off any direct action or announcements for now."
Sheriam acknowledged, curtsied as Mesaana opened a gateway and left.
She sent for Margory, who had built up Tiana's trust when she had in fact watched over the novices and Accepted who were Friends of the Dark, and instructed her to take the Grey, then tell the sister to report to her after the meeting. With that it was time to go to the Hall.
-0-
The meeting of the Hall was chaotic, the Sitters still shocked by the Dragon's visit. Lelaine was the first one to speak, stating al'Thor must be stopped from breaking the Seals. Lyrelle and Takima backed her up immediately, but the other Sitters nodded consent as well. Even those who normally supported Romanda agreed, only Romanda herself was hesitant. As outspoken as she usually was, she was clearly unsure about what to say, whether to support Lelaine or argue against her. Sheriam wished she had found an excuse to take her apart and brief her, but then she had expected the woman to do better on her own. Saerin and Yukiri had no such trouble, appearing no more out of sorts than the other Sitters.
Even with Romanda's hesitation, it did not take the Hall long to reach consensus that the Dragon must be stopped. The Black sisters, of course, all voting that way since any sensible non-Black would. The trouble started when they tried to decide how this was to be accomplished.
The three Green Sitters, in spite of the armies al'Thor controlled, the previous disastrous attempt by Elaida to capture him, and the strength of his ta'veren influence, still thought that they had to try to take him by force. And to Sheriam's surprise, Lelaine supported them, which meant Lyrelle and Takima did also.
Moria suggested taking not the Dragon but the seals, taking them by stealth rather than force, and Sedore immediately agreed. An interesting idea, and something to keep in mind as a backup plan, since then of course they would break the seals rather than keep them safe after getting a hold of them.
It was Egwene who suggested they contact those who supported the Dragon, the Kings and leaders who ruled his lands and who had declared their allegiance, so they might talk the Dragon out of his plan. Something Andara and the White supported, as well as Janya. This last seemed the best course of action, as any letters and even envoys could be stalled for a short while. Saerin saw the sense in it, and Yukiri followed her lead.
And then it turned out Sheriam knew the Sitters better than she would have liked. The Green Sitters and even Lelaine allowed themselves to be swayed, at least for the moment, as long as taking the Dragon by force would still be an option if he could not be persuaded. But they also insisted on taking direct action. Both Malind and Lelaine wanted to go themselves and go that same afternoon, arguing vehemently against even the slightest delay, and Andara insisted on the same thing, although she, being a Grey, remained just a bit calmer while pleading her case.
Velina argued restraint, Saerin suggested learning more about those they would visit, but eventually Egwene's insistence she include a personal letter, and that she would need at least the rest of the day to write those, was what made the three Sitters give in. They agreed to wait until the next morning.
The vote was called and one by one the Sitters rose, some quickly and some reluctantly, but in the end they all stood.
Then, it was decided who would go where, and this too evolved into a heated argument. Sheriam felt herself get impatient, there was so much to do, and here they were arguing over something that would never actually be allowed to happen. Or perhaps they should send out sisters to influence the Dragon's allies, and to learn more about his strengths, weaknesses and the forces he controlled. Well, Malind and Andara could go, after being taken, but not Lelaine. She wouldn't trust Lelaine out of her sight, turned or not.
It was most annoying Elayne had bonded al'Thor, although she was very glad that information had at least reached them. It would've been disastrous if they had tried to take Elayne and turn her. But without the bond, they would be able to get Andor's armies on their side as well. Egwene of course did have some influence on Elayne, but from the last reports, the young woman was establishing herself as Queen of Andor almost as quickly and strongly as Egwene had here in the Tower before she was taken. When it came to Andor and Caemlyn, Egwene's influence would not be greater than that of a trusted friend, Amyrlin or not.
Finally, an agreement was reached and the meeting closed. As the Sitters filed out of the Hall Yukiri and Velina walked with Andara, without being told. Andara had no Warder, and Sheriam knew the Grey at least would not be any problem.
Moria and Sedore were hesitant. They hung back and Moria glanced at her. Last night the instructions had still been to take those without Warders only, but they clearly understood that might now change. Sheriam thought quickly. Would she tell Moria how they had taken Siuan and Bryne, show her the stunning weave? It wasn't strictly necessary, a Warder could be held in Air safely enough. It was mostly the level of compulsion afterwards that it mattered for, and Burin was not in the public eye like Lord Bryne. And while Lelaine might be rash and careless, might be just the type to expect Burin to follow her no matter what her allegiance, Moria was not and she would order Lelaine to use compulsion.
Sheriam nodded to Moria, who called out to Sedore and the two of them went after Lelaine.
That left Malind, with two Warders. Should she delegate that to Dawn, or take her together with Egwene? Perhaps better to call her into the Amyrlin's study, Dawn would not have any reason more urgent than the current mission to take Malind apart, and none to insists she bring both her Warders to their meeting. However they could deliver Malind to a circle at the inn and let Dawn or one of the other Black take it from there. She flagged down a novice, told her to find either Dawn or Cheryl.
Walking back to the Amyrlin's study and her anteroom, she had to remind herself to let Egwene lead. For months her role had been natural, now their positions were so clearly reversed when no one could see, she had to be careful not to make any mistakes. She could not discuss anything here in the open either, while Egwene walked briskly, Gawyn followed close behind as usual.