Gathering stray sheep.
The raid over and the captured sisters returned, there was no need to keep the remaining Bloodknife alive any longer. Even though they knew from Gawyn's information the woman was fated to die in a matter of days, she too was sentenced and her execution took place at High in the Traitor's Court.
After the Seanchan assassin's execution, Mesaana arrived and they went to the stables. Since the Black Tower was protected by a Dreamspike as well, they would ride in. While Mesaana had a truce with Demandred, she did not know the key to his Dreamspike any more than he would learn the key to theirs. The Chosen channeled a gateway easily large enough to ride through, and rode her horse, one of the Tower's horses giving no clue to her identity, through. A short distance away were the gates to the Black Tower grounds, now grown to a small town rather than just a village. Several men in black coats guarded the gate.
Mesaana did not name Demandred, nor even his presumed name, whatever that was. His rule here was known to her but few others. She asked for Taim instead, telling the guards she had come with news from Mahon, and it was clear the men had been instructed what to do in case they heard that message.
Two young men, boys still, with no decorations, took their horses and two of the men with sword pins on the lapels of their black coat bowed, then led the way to a large farm house in the middle of the Tower grounds. The town was sprawling and teeming with activity, men in black coats were everywhere. Even though she knew the taint was gone, Sheriam felt a little uneasy among so many men who could channel. She had been raised with the knowledge that men who could channel were dangerous for so long, it was hard to completely let go of that feeling.
At the manor house they were received by a full Asha'man, with both sword and dragon pin on the lapels of his coat. He too received Mesaana respectfully, as an important visitor, even though he too could not know exactly who she was. He led them into a comfortably if sparingly furnished room and told them the M'hael would be with them shortly. There were several chairs, but while Mesaana took a seat without the least hesitation, Sheriam remained standing next to the Chosen. Mesaana let her Mask of Mirrors drop as she had done the previous times when she had met with the other Chosen.
They did not have to wait long. Only a minute or two after the Asha'man had left, the door opened and Demandred entered. He was a tall man, who wore ornate clothing and would be handsome except for his large, hooked nose. Sheriam had never seen him before but she had heard him described, and it was obvious he wore no disguise either.
As soon as she recognized the man, Sheriam had knelt. Mesaana remained seated as she greeted the other Chosen, he stood no higher than her.
Demandred looked at them, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Sheriam but he said nothing. As he too took a seat, Sheriam rose at a gesture of Mesaana and remained standing beside her.
"What have you come to discuss?" Demandred asked. His voice was calm, almost pleasant. Even so, he did not bother with even the least kind of pleasantries almost everyone exchanged when meeting, but came straight to the point. Not a truce based on any kind of friendly feelings toward one another, that much was clear.
Mesaana replied in kind. "It is about the sisters you are holding. I would like them back. Or let some of the Aes Sedai bond a number of the men, as per the agreement which was made with the rebel Tower's Hall."
"If you wanted to keep all of those so-called Aes Sedai for yourself, perhaps you should not have let them come here in the first place," Demandred pointed out.
"As I told you at the time, it was hardly my plan. I admit the previous Amyrlin was a bit difficult to control at times. However, this is now a thing of the past. The new Amyrlin ia all mine, obedient and cooperative. Elaida's execution is scheduled for tomorrow at High, in fact you are invited to attend, as is anyone from among your men who feels grieved by her actions."
Demandred ignored the last bit. "So you have taken and turned the Amyrlin."
"Not just her," Mesaana replied. "The entire Hall now serves the Great Lord, as well as almost every sister who does not have a Warder. Which includes all of the Red who are in residence."
This clearly took Demandred by surprise. "All of them? Why ever would you do that?" he asked, utterly baffled. "I have used it on some who got too nosy and whose death would either raise too many questions or would be somewhat of a waste, but why ever would you want to turn all of those children? They are neither that dangerous nor that valuable."
"We may have underestimated them," Mesaana answered. "While most are easily manipulated, there have been other cases where individuals have taken surprisingly effective initiatives. Turning them has put a stop to that."
"Taking only those who show such initiative seems to work just as well," Demandred remarked.
"It would still leave the great lot of them able to break free. This way, all will be on our side in the Final Battle. While they are weak and untrained by our standards, they can do damage in numbers. I have decided I want all sisters with me rather than against me. Your men are a greater risk, they are more trained in combat and stronger, from what I understand."
"Those not loyal to me will be sent elsewhere, to face odds even they can not handle. Tarwin's gap, perhaps," Demandred shrugged.
A look of distaste spread over Mesaana's features. "What a waste. Of the men and the shadowspawn. Now if there were no other way, but the turning makes such a slaughter unnecessary."
"So what if you turn them all, what would you do with so many afterwards?" Demandred asked.
"Even when the Great Lord is freed, there will be some who will need convincing before submitting to our rule. The Seanchan, the Amadicians, those in the lands now called Shara, and those are only the largest groups. A loyal army will be quite useful yet," Mesaana said.
Demandred made a derisive sound. "Children. An army of children."
"There is strength in numbers if nothing else." Mesaana pointed out.
Demandred frowned. "Even if I agreed, turning the bonded sisters or many more of the men will certainly be noticed. I have kept the last group of Red sisters from leaving, but there is trade between here and Caemlyn, and the Tower is still Lews Therin's in name. Even if he rarely bothers to visit, he will return sooner or later. Or do you suggest taking him too?"
"I would if I could. If it were allowed and if I had a way of getting him alone," Mesaana replied. "As for anyone noticing, the Black has operated in secret for centuries. There is no need to let on anything is amiss."
Demandred made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "That may work for you, but it will not sit well with the men. Those I did take were all too eager to join Taim's group and be done with the soft mollycoddling the rest of them calls training."
Mesaana took a deep breath. "For Darkness' sake, Demandred. It is only for a few weeks, they can be more subtle that long."
Demandred paused for a moment as if he were thinking it over.
"If you want your sisters and some of the men, you can turn Logain's, those who have bonded a sister. And it is your responsibility no one else finds out and I have a battle on my hands before the opening of the Bore," he said shortly.
"And the unbound Red sisters," Mesaana said.
"Yes, take them back to your Tower. And those camped outside the gates too. If you turn Logain's that will have to be enough, there will be no bonding any of the men, and it will be good riddance."
Mesaana nodded. "I will take them off your hands."
"See that you do." It was almost an order, but Mesaana had what she wanted.
"Mezar Kurin is taken, so is Tarna Feir. I will have them sent to you here. We will meet again a week from now to see how it goes," Demandred said. He got up abruptly and left the room without even a word of goodbye.
-0-
"Take a seat," Mesaana said as the door closed behind the other Chosen.
Sheriam sat down, glad there were more chairs and she didn't have to use the one just vacated by Demandred. He had not even looked at her again after the brief glance as he had come in, but being ignored was almost as bad as the disdain the other Chosen had expressed.
"Do you trust him?" Mesaana suddenly shot at her.
Sheriam blinked, startled by the question. She gave it a moment's thought before answering.
"He did give in awfully easily, even if he will not let us bond any of his men. I am sure he thought of something that is to his advantage rather than that he was swayed by your arguments, but what it was, I do not know," she said then. "Will he break the truce you have?"
"We agreed on a truce only as long as there are still other Chosen left alive. It won't last beyond that," Mesaana replied. "With Semirhage it might have, perhaps, but Demandred will not accept anyone beside him in the end, nor even too close below him. He was second in command to Lews Therin, second only, and it was still not enough. And because that is how he thinks, he can never allow anyone else to hold a similar position. But he has little hope of challenging Moridin alone, so for the time being, the truce should hold.
"Most likely, he let me have the men who bonded the sisters because they are giving him trouble. I don't know whether he had any more hand in the bonding of the sisters than I had in sending them here, but he certainly does not have them in hand as well as he wants me to believe. It is unlikely he will allow for the turning of anyone else, which means we must find a way to put pressure on him or there will be a waste indeed, but it's a start."
Sheriam nodded. She was glad they could turn the bonded sisters at least, especially now she had heard Demandred's plans. No doubt they too would have been sent to die at Tarwin's Gap or whatever other place where they would be overwhelmed even with all the power they and the men could wield. She remembered how only a few days ago, she had decided she would no longer care about the Tower or any sisters not of the Black. How quickly that had changed again! With the Tower firmly in Mesaana's hands, she was now eager to build the Tower as strong as they could, and she could once again afford to feel protective about the sisters, once they were on their side.
It was not long until an Asha'man entered, and with him was Adrielle. The man's hair was graying at the temples, but his face looked too young for that, no doubt a result of the channeling. He was short and wore a garnet earring in Domani fashion. His features were hard and plain, but softened when he threw a quick reassuring glance to Adrielle before he knelt, the Grey sister following his lead.
"I was told to report to you, Great One. Mezar Kurin at your service. And Adrielle of the Grey Ajah."
"Rise," Mesaana told them.
Mezar stood. Adrielle rose hesitantly, as if uncertain the order was for her too, and remained slightly behind him.
"You were part of Logain's group, obviously," Mesaana indicated Adrielle, and Mezar nodded. "I want you to take the others who have bonded the Aes Sedai, shield them and bring them to me. Can you Travel directly from here?"
Mezar nodded. "Yes, Great One."
"Good. I will show you where to take them. One by one, they will be turned as you were. Be careful with those whose Aes Sedai have a Warder, the Warders must be taken captive as well during the turning so they can not raise alarm, after each sister can use compulsion to keep them from raising an outcry. And most importantly, do not let on anything is amiss. I understand you have trained with Taim's men, those you take will not be allowed to do so, at least not right away. Not until all are taken."
"Yes, Great One," Mezar replied, but he frowned even as he nodded.
"You can still get close enough to them to take some apart from the others, can't you?" Mesaana inquired. She too had noticed his frown.
Mezar nodded slowly. "Yes. In fact some have been trying to be friendly with me, even though I have avoided them. Norley and Welyn might be somewhat suspicious but at the same time they will take another opportunity to, as they think, hear me out." He hesitated.
"But?" Mesaana prompted.
"I am afraid it will be difficult to keep the results of the activities hidden for long. Some of those who do not hold a bond are already wondering about me, Androl Genhald for example, they will notice if many others are taken too," Mezar said carefully.
What was it with the Asha'man having so much trouble with deception? Sheriam wondered what would have happened if there had been no Taint, and the men who could channel had been able to do so openly over the pas thousand years. Would they have had an equivalent of the Black Ajah, hidden among the others, or would those who were Friends of the Dark have been at open odds with those who served the Light, in a war or perhaps ruling some territory of their own? Not that Taim's men were quite out in the open, but from what she heard it was a close thing. It was a good thing the Dragon took so little interest, if anyone of authority had questioned their behavior and separation from the others in any detail, their allegiance would not be a secret for very long.
"The Black Ajah have managed," Mesaana pointed out. Her voice was sharp, she was clearly irritated but she did not lash out. She glanced at Adrielle. "There are two hundred Black sisters among the Aes Sedai, and only rarely have any of them been exposed. And in recent days, almost all who have no Warder in the Tower have been turned. The turning changes whom you serve but it does not have to change your everyday behavior. Take those you can still get close to, tell them to take those who are their friends. There will be time for Taim's training, or something similar, when all are taken."
Adrielle had listened wide-eyed as Mesaana named the number of Black and mentioned the taking of the others, but she recovered quickly. She shot a quick glance at Mezar and knelt deep even as she spoke.
"We can do it, Great One," she assured the Chosen.
Mesaana looked at the Grey sister closely, likely trying to determine whether she were serious or just trying to make promises she could not keep out of fear. Adrielle was down on one knee, but seemed sincere enough, and she hadn't needed to speak up.
"Good," Mesaana said, and turned back to Mezar. "Then I will show you where to take the others."
She gave distance and direction, and told Mezar about the Eye, something Demandred apparently had not bothered with. The Asha'man channeled and even at this distance found the Malkieri ballroom quickly. The Chosen did not ask him for the key to the Dreamspike, if he could even have given it to them; apparently the weaves had certain code numbers to enable a man to give the key to a woman or the other way around, but Sheriam doubted Demandred had told those to Mezar, any more than Mesaana had explained them to her and the other Black sisters.
Since Mezar did not know the Malkieri room to Travel back, and Mesaana nor Sheriam had the key, he tied the gateway off for the moment, while the Chosen introduced Mezar to those of the Black who were present. Adrielle looked around the room in astonishment, looked as if she wanted to talk to some of the sisters, but there was no time for that. At a gesture, she returned with them to the Black Tower.
That done, Mesaana dismissed Mezar and Adrielle.
Tarna must have been waiting outside the door. As the two left, she entered immediately, throwing a nervous glance over her shoulder at Mezar and Adrielle. She almost tripped over her own feet and her eyes looked as if she barely held back a panic. As soon as the door closed, she burst out.
"Sheriam, I was told you were here, and we are supposed to return to the Tower, but really it is very important we study these men who can channel."
She shifted her feet and her eyes darted from Sheriam to Mesaana and back, but clearly she had not been told who or what to expect, likely she had not been alone when the messenger reached her. Fortunately Mesaana was more understanding about such things now than Sheriam knew she had been in the past.
"Those plans have changed," Mesaana said. "I am Mesaana, you report to me now. You will gather the others in your group and return to the White Tower with us, where they will be taken and turned to the Great Lord as you were."
At the first words, Tarna had dropped to her knees, and she now muttered, "Yes, High Mistress, as you command, Great One."
The Red sister shook like a leaf. If she returned to the other Red like this, they would know something was wrong.
"Get a grip on yourself," Mesaana told her, then as Tarna only shook harder, she too saw the Red was too nervous to do this alone. "Sheriam, go with her. Meet me at the stables in thirty minutes."
Sheriam rose from her seat. "Yes, High Mistress." She gestured to Tarna, who rose and almost tripped again as she got up, all the while stammering apologies.
Sheriam took Tarna by the hand and literally led the Red sister out into the hall, then found an alcove with a chest in one of the corridors and sat Tarna down on it.
"Now calm down," she said. "We do not want the others to realize something is wrong, or at least not seriously enough so they refuse to come. Will any of them be truly hesitant to leave?"
"I don't think so, I think they do mean to leave, to escape, for Taim held us here and would not give us permission to leave the Tower grounds. But they will be suspicious if I tell them we may leave now. Only last night I tried to convince Pevara we should remain, and I think she was suspicious about my change of mind then," Tarna managed to say, still stuttering but slowly becoming more coherent.
"Well, I will help with that," Sheriam said. "Your orders come from the White Tower now, directly from the Amyrlin. You have heard Elaida no longer rules, I suppose?"
"Only a few vague rumors. No one tells us much of anything, or allows us to contact those outside," Tarna replied.
"Well, that's how it is. Elaida is disposed, captured by the Seanchan who raided the Tower. She is now back in our hands and scheduled for execution tomorrow, but right after she was taken, the Hall agreed to raise Egwene as their Amyrlin before it could come to a second battle. Then we took Egwene, so the Tower is in our hands now. We will tell Pevara and the others it is on Egwene's orders they are to return to Tar Valon. And once there, there will be no time for them to voice their concern to anyone who matters. The Hall, all of the Red, almost all who have no Warder, are all ours. We will take the five of them and turn them too."
Tarna had listened wide-eyed. Away from Mesaana, she had calmed down some, but at the mention of turning the other sisters, she physically flinched. "Who… who will turn them?" she asked, almost a whisper.
"We will, the Black and those who were turned before," Sheriam replied.
"Not Taim's men," Tarna said.
"No, we do our own turning. What did they do to you?"
"Nothing. It doesn't matter. Don't ask. Just, don't let them take any other sisters," Tarna said evadingly, and that told Sheriam more than she wanted to know. While many Friends of the Dark were not near as evil as people assumed, the power the Great Lord promised did appeal to those who lacked any and all morals and restraints. She would have one of the Yellow check on Tarna later, to check for physical injury, disease and pregnancy. Not that the last was likely, another side effect of the Oath Rod, but better to make sure. But first things first.
"They will not be harmed," she promised.
Tarna looked a little reassured, but the haunted look was still there in her eyes. Sheriam let Tarna lead the way to the hut assigned to the Red sisters, but once there, she took over.
Pevara was suspicious indeed, even with Sheriam's claim the new Amyrlin had ordered the return, overriding all previous commands, but she was primarily relieved to be able to leave. The Sitter quickly packed up, must have had almost everything packed already. She did not argue to remain or leave any one of their group, but she did want to send a message to one of the men. Sheriam allowed her to write the message, then took it and went to hand it to one of the Soldiers for delivery. It was not her Pevara suspected, the Red frowned at Tarna's nervousness and watched her closely as she packed, so Sheriam could send a messenger off on a quite different errand just like she had done from time to time before Egwene had been taken. Delaying or misdirecting messages was a simple matter.
Even though Pevara was willing to leave and had sent her message, all the way to the stable she was scanning the crowd for someone she knew. In vain, for none of the Dedicated were seen, and even fewer Soldiers than before were on the streets, whether coincidence or Mesaana's doing, and they arrived at the stables shortly.
Mesaana had once again changed her disguise. There would be no reason for anyone not Aes Sedai to ride with them, even less for an Accepted, and she could not be a full sister unknown to them all either. Instead, it appeared to be Adine who was waiting for them at the stables. The real Adine had been at Malkier, would be there for some time yet, and had never liked the Red much, so she would not be expected to join in chatter about personal things that Mesaana did not know about.
As they fastened the packs to the saddles, Pevara exchanged a few words with the boy who led out her hose, but Sheriam worried little about what she said. Nothing she could say to a mere stable boy would make a serious difference at this point.
They rode out of the gate, Sheriam and 'Adine' leading. The soldiers at the gate had clearly been told to let them go, and bid them farewell as cordial as any guardsmen elsewhere. The sisters looked clearly relieved to be gone from the Black Tower, Tarna most of all. Pevara frowned at her as Tarna let out an audible sigh, was clearly concerned, but at this point it would no longer matter.
As soon as they were out of sight, Mesaana opened the gateway. Not directly onto the Tower grounds, but to the place directly out of the Dreamspike's influence, so none would see the additional weaves required. Pevara showed some concern about the fact that Travel was restricted to and from the White Tower as well, but Sheriam told them about the Seanchan raid and the Red sister reluctantly admitted to the necessity of such measure. Some of the marks left by the Seanchan were still visible even from here, the actual holes in the wall repaired by now but the new masonry slightly off color.
They continued to the stables and Sheriam gestured for them to follow her to her anteroom. From there, in spite of Pevara's wariness, it was easy to send them into Egwene's study one by one and from there on to Malkier, tied and shielded. Not an hour after, the Red sisters were turned and were sent to their quarters, save for Pevara whom Sheriam ordered to remain and report on their stay at the Black Tower.
"I knew something was wrong with Tarna," Pevara said as she sat down across from Sheriam's desk. "She wasn't herself last night, in fact she seriously scared me, her eyes were so dark and empty even though she tried to keep up appearances. I suspected some kind of compulsion, or perhaps another form of coercion, but I did not know of the turning, nor could I ever have dreamed of anything on this scale."
Pevera too wasn't anything like her usual bright, easy-going self, instead looking grim and on edge. Sheriam was glad she was doing the debriefing alone, Mesaana having left as soon as all sisters were secured. She poured the Red sister a cup of tea and sat back down.
"Tarna was taken by Taim's men," she said then. "I do not know the details but suffice to say they did rather more to her than just turn her. But that was their doing, none taken by us have been harmed in the process."
Pevara cursed. "Damn. It was my mission, it should have been me."
"I understand she was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, they didn't go at it as methodically as we did. If they had, they wouldn't have hurt her so it left her so shaken up that it showed. I will have her checked up by the Yellow, do not blame yourself for what happened to her."
Pevara sighed, then bit her lip and nodded.
"Some of the Dedicated suspect Mezar Kurin as well," she said then. "He too was taken, was he not?"
"Yes, he was," Sheriam replied. "Him and Adrielle. I do not think they touched her, not with the bond and them wanting Mezar to cooperate with them. However he was not told to keep going as if nothing had happened, was offered a position among Taim's men instead. It is no wonder people noticed the change in him. Mezar told us some of the Dedicated had been suspicious about his new alliance, but they should be taken care of soon enough."
Pevara nodded again, still somewhat apprehensive but she was getting her emotions under control. "He may have difficulty if he is not allowed to take those who don't hold a bond. Androl spoke with me about their concerns and I explained to him about compulsion, we had planned to check Tarna and Mezar for that. I can stall him, though, for a limited time."
"Do it. He will have fewer allies when those who do hold a bond are taken, and all will be told to hide their new alliances better than Mezar," Sheriam replied, "If no one is careless during the taking itself, and since you nor Androl knew of the turning as it is done, do what you can to keep the others reassured long enough so no action is taken."
"The men certainly are less subtle than the Black. I still can't believe how big the Black Ajah is, there really were over two hundred of you all along?" She shook her head in disbelief. "But we should be able to handle the soldiers and other Dedicated for a while at least. Those holding a Bond are generally the most senior in rank, with the exception of Androl and Emarin Pendaloan. Those two have reached a position of influence rather quickly, even though Emarin has come to the Black Tower very recently."
Sheriam made a note. "I will mention it." She did not know how far they could push their limits and go beyond the men holding the bond, but that would be for Mesaana to decide. "Anything else we need to know about them?"
Pevara shook her head.
"Then tell me about the rest of the Black Tower," Sheriam told her.
Pevara reported and Sheriam listened, making more notes as she did. No doubt Mesaana had made good use of the time in which she and Tarna had gathered the other Red, but Pevara had been at the Black Tower far longer and had much to tell.
Sheriam was startled at the numbers Pevara gave, more than she had estimated even after her visit, and new recruits coming in at about twice the rate the novices were coming in at Tar Valon. It would be an effort to turn them all, even if they were to get free reign next week, which was not all certain. And yet they would have to try. According to Pevara, the men were taught offensive weaves from the very first day on, and even soldiers who had been at the Tower a week were often capable of casting lightning and flame or hurling exploding rocks. It would be costly indeed if they were left to fight for the Light, at Tarwin's Gap or anywhere else, and a huge asset if they had that army on their side.
As Pevara finished her report, Sheriam quickly filled her in on the changes at the White Tower, for so far that hadn't been done yet in Malkier. The Red sister nodded quietly as she was told Barasine and Memara had been chosen as Sitters for the Red. She took it in good grace, as she too realized the seats of the Red could not be kept empty for long at a time like this.
By the time they were finished, Pevara was almost herself again, smiling as she got up and bade goodbye. She was level-headed, quite pleasant for a Red, and her report had been satisfactory, Sheriam hoped it would be her who would keep the third seat in the Hall. But the mission to the Black Tower had been hers, and it had failed, even though that was really not Pevara's fault. Tsutama would probably chose Javindhra instead. It was tempting to use her position to preempt any such choice, but it was better not to interfere. If all went well, the Hall and the Ajahs would undergo a major change in a few weeks, and there was no need to ruffle more feathers right now.
-0-
The visit to the Black Tower, the turning and the debriefing had taken a good part of the afternoon, so Sheriam was not surprised to find several people waiting for her when she let Pevara out. Those who had simple requests and knew of the actual balance of power within the Tower, she sent on to Egwene. Some she had to deal with herself though. Notori asked to see her specifically, and she knew it was Black Ajah business.
After dealing with a concern from Meidani and Morvrin, both of whom had a Warder and were not turned yet, and sending Saeine off to tell Myrelle and her group to return to Tar Valon, she invited Notori in.
The Black sister glanced at the door uncertainly until she saw Sheriam weave the ward against eavesdropping, as she automatically did. Many were not used to speaking more openly now, let alone in her Keeper's anteroom! And a good thing, because there were others like Meidani and Morvrin who were not turned yet. But the wards woven, they could now speak.
"I've had a message from Falion," Notori said when she was sure the ward was in place. She produced a small strip of paper as was commonly used when sending a message by pigeon. "She escaped from prison, and requests emergency funds. She and another -who I do not know since the message is very brief and in code, of course."
Sheriam held out her hand, taking the strip of paper from Notori.
Dear aunt, had to leave the farm because of the war. Erin and me are both safe but we had to leave everything behind. Master Larennen has taken us in and we can help him with the work but please send some gold if you can miss any. I will repay you as soon as I can. Love, your cousin Raisa.
"You know where she is?" Sheriam asked.
"Yes, I do," Notori replied. She did not elaborate, and Sheriam did not ask.
"Would they be safe there if they had funds, or is it a temporary haven only?" She did want to know that, the farm and the Aringill house were both getting quite full.
"It is too near Caemlyn, I do not think it is safe for them to remain there," Notori answered. "I do not know why she chose to go there, but then I am not sure if she has been taught how to Travel. Maybe they had to walk or ride only."
"Then bring her in," Sheriam decided. "Not to here of course, first to Malkier and then to the Kandori farm. They will have to make room for two more. Tell them I will see them there tonight, I will have to check on Evanellein and Melvara also. Anything they need, Leesa and Kerryn can purchase, I will bring more coin when I go."
Notori nodded. "It will be done."
"And do not Travel from this location to Malkier directly, even if Falion knows the weaves or you can show her. Open a number of gateways in succession so the final destination can't be read. Even if she thinks she was not followed, Elayne and the Caemlyn guard are not to be underestimated, channel several gateways to muddle the one you arrive by, too."
Notori looked startled before she nodded again, and Sheriam was glad she had cautioned the Black sister, she wouldn't have thought of it herself. With that, she sent Notori on her way.
So Falion was safe, and one other. Out of five who had been imprisoned, if her information was correct. Not that there came much information from Caemlyn these days. But there would be either more caught than less, otherwise the reports would not have stopped coming in. Who else had escaped with her? Or perhaps only Falion had escaped and she had caught up with someone else, there were still some sisters out in the world, who knew where, including some Black Ajah. But if she had found a sister who had been outside all along, or even if she'd had help breaking free, then she wouldn't have had to write Notori for assistance. For one, most had learned to Travel now. It had to be one of those taken by Elayne and held in Caemlyn, but who, Chesmal, Marillin, Temaile or Eldrith? And what had happened to the others? Well, she would find out tonight. Making a mental note of the amount of coin to take to Kandor -for Evanellein and Melvara's needs, too- she turned to other business.
-0-
Mesaana came in shortly after Full to go over the plan to take the envoy the Dragon would send the next day, and then Sheriam Traveled to Kandor.
She stepped through into the courtyard where a man she did not know was mending some tack together with one of the Warders, dressed in ordinary farm clothes. Another Warder was raking straw near the largest of two barns. All had their blade resting nearby, and had moved nearer as the gateway opened, but they relaxed when they saw who she was.
The farmer stood, bowed respectfully and introduced himself as Master Harfin, Jalila's brother.
"Pleased to meet you, Master Harfin," Sheriam said. "The Tower thanks you for sheltering the Black. I realize it must be an inconvenience to have so many staying here."
"We can manage, Aes Sedai," he replied. "I am happy to help in this manner, for when it comes to the Last Battle it won't be my wheat, my ice peppers or the raising of cattle that tips the balance."
A man well into his fifties, Master Harfin's bearing reflected the prosperity she had seen inside on previous visits. But his clothes were plain and his hands calloused. No doubt his allegiance had provided him with opportunities, the chance perhaps to buy a better field for less than his neighbors would have paid, or to be tipped first about the best breeding stock, but prosperity did not come by that alone, not on a farm. The field had to be worked, the breeding stock taken care of, and Master Harfin had done all that.
"It will be made worth your while," Sheriam promised. Elaida's mismanagement and the exorbitant prices for food and other supplies due to the war had put a serious dent in the Tower's coffers, but Master Harfin's help to the Black was invaluable.
"Thank you, Aes Sedai," the farmer replied and bowed.
While they spoke, Leesa had appeared, Bryne beside her. The general looked as alert as any Warder and he stuck close to the Black sister. Sheriam wondered what sort of deception Leesa had thought up, it must be something clever, for she obviously had him well under control with little strain.
"Sheriam," Leesa greeted her. "The dining room is yours to use. Falion and Marillin are waiting for you, together with two Friends of the Dark who were with them. Evanellein and Melvara are also available, as well as Annisha and Maighan. When Mezar brought one of the Dedicated in Kerryn asked if he knew the Healing, and he did, so the two of them are Healed and able to channel again. Would you like to see anyone else?"
"Excellent," Sheriam said. She was particularly happy to hear the second escapee was Marillin, not only a member of the Council but also a friend from a time neither of them had known the other was a member of the Black. "No, I think that is it, except for you and Kerryn last. Unless anyone else has requested to speak with me?"
"No," Leesa replied. "We have been able to handle everything else that has come up."
Sheriam nodded. She appreciated how the place was run.
"I will see Falion and Marillin then, lead the way."
Leesa turned and showed her into the house, across the hall to a door next to the kitchen. The dining room was as luxuriously furnished as the hall, and paneled in dark wood, it would not have miss-stood in a noble's manor. The one thing out of place were some cots stacked against the far wall, apparently some had to sleep even here. But now the large, dark wood table, inlaid with a beautiful star pattern in the middle, was cleared, the chairs with carved backs placed neatly around it.
As Sheriam entered, Falion and Marillin stood and curtsied. They were thinner than Sheriam remembered them, but not extremely so, and they seemed in good shape under the circumstances. The two strangers had also risen, a young woman who curtsied, and a man with a gaunt face and dark eyes who knuckled his forehead as he made a bow.
"Aes Sedai." Both greeted her respectfully, but it was clear they stood high in the ranks of the Friends of the Dark. Sheriam nodded to them, returning their greeting.
"Falion, Marillin, I am glad to see you. It is good to have you back," Sheriam said sincerely. Then she turned to the others and introduced herself. "Sheriam Bayanar, Keeper of the Chronicles at Tar Valon."
"Lady Shiaine Avarhin, from Andor. Daved Hanlon," the young woman introduced them both.
Now that she looked at her directly, Sheriam thought the woman looked vaguely familiar, but the name did not ring a bell and she could not place her. Perhaps it would come to her later.
"Everyone please be seated," she said.
The two sat down, as did Marillin and Falion. Sheriam herself took the seat at the head of the table, on an even more heavily worked chair, no doubt Master Harfin's in normal times. As she watched, Sheriam noticed again the high standing Lady Shiaine must have, for Falion and Marillin waited carefully for her to sit first. Even so, it was the two Aes Sedai she turned to for their report. They were Aes Sedai and this farm, this meeting room, was for all practical purposes a part of the White Tower, for the time being.
She listened as the two sisters related how they had worked in Caemlyn until caught by Elayne and the Kin. So Careane was dead, that explained why the reports about Elayne's doings had stopped coming. Sheriam had not known who was reporting, that was before so many more of the Black had made themselves known to one another, but there had been ways to send messages, some encoded and vague like the one Notori had received and some more concise.
Elayne would become a problem yet, even if her own strength was not so great because of her pregnancy. But she was not infallible. While Falion told her how the prison break had only been partially successful, and had cost the lives of Chesmal, Eldrith and Temaile, she and Marillin at least were free.
And Lady Shiaine and Hanlon. The more she looked at her, and heard her speak as she inserted an occasional remark, the more certain Sheriam was she knew the woman.
"Have you ever been to Tar Valon?" she asked outright when Falion had finished her report.
"No!" The startled denial was a clear lie, seemingly out of character for an experienced Friend of the Dark. She must have quite a bad experience in the city, or the Tower.
And then Sheriam remembered. Much younger, a girl of perhaps thirteen, fourteen years at most, and she had been inconsolable when she was told she could not learn to channel. Inconsolable, and then angry, very, very angry. Her name had been different though, not Shiaine but Meri, Melli,… Mili, that was it. So she had found a way to give direction to her anger. And a new identity. Well that was not unheard of among the Friends of the Dark, at least not among those who actively worked as assassins or informants.
"Then it must be a sister or niece I am thinking of," she said smoothly, but all knew she was not fooled. It was just a way of saying she would not press the point. And it was good enough for Lady Shiaine.
"I would appreciate the Tower's help in making contact for my next assignment," she said.
"It is quite possible Mesaana has work for you. If not, we can arrange for Travel elsewhere," Sheriam told her.
"That is acceptable," Shiaine/Mili replied.
"Are there any other questions or concerns?" Sheriam asked.
Falion glanced at the two Friends of the Dark and licked her lips nervously, but did not speak. Then Marillin took the lead.
"It's a ter'angreal, it belongs to the Tower."
"You have found a ter'angreal?" Sheriam asked Lady Shiaine, her interest peeked.
Clearly reluctant, Lady Shiaine produced a silver foxhead medallion.
Sheriam drew a sharp breath as she recognized it. "Where did you get this?" she asked.
"Elayne carried it. It and another like it, in fact, but I only managed to get this one," Hanlon replied her.
"Elayne. And she had two?" Sheriam cursed, if she had been making copies, who knew how many of these there were, now. Although perhaps not that many, she amended, recalling Moria's account of the young woman's difficulty channeling. She had to send someone in to replace Careane, or she would have Egwene request to see the sisters who with her in the palace. Having this one to use and study might come in useful, it was a good thing Hanlon had managed to take it.
She held out her hand and, still reluctant, Lady Shiaine handed her the ter'angreal. The moment it touched her skin, she lost Saidar, and with another curse she dropped it onto the table. Had it always done that? She would give it to the sisters who had tried to study it in Salidar, although she was not sure any of them had ever convinced Mat Cauthon to let them actually lay hands on it.
"Since you can not channel while holding it, what good is it to you?" Lady Shiaine asked.
"It may not be as useful to us as protection, but learning more about what it does and can not do will be of help. Especially since Mat Cauthon was, likely still is, wearing one of these," she said. She would not let Lady Shiaine have it even if it was of no use to her at all, she did not know or trust the woman well enough, but that was beside the point.
"Even Aes Sedai must turn in any ter'angreal they find, and that is one rule that will not change," she added as Lady Shiaine still looked decidedly unhappy.
The young woman sighed but gave in with a brisk nod.
"So, anything else?" Sheriam asked.
This time, all shook their heads.
"Then, dismissed. Send in Maighan and Annisha next, if you would."
She addressed this last to Falion and Marillin again, who nodded. The four left and the two kidnapped sisters replaced them.
Maighan and Annisha came in together, but Sheriam got the feeling the two had not fully made up after their different reactions to being captured and Stilled. They moved stiffly and kept slightly more distance than natural as they walked through the door and also as they sat down, scooting the heavy seats just a little farther apart. But the turning ensured the loyalty of both, and Annisha too greeted Sheriam respectfully.
Maighan was the one to report on the Healing. She kept her report brief, but her voice was bright and clear.
"I still would like to join the Black, if I could," she finished.
"You don't have to," Sheriam replied.
"I said I would, and I still mean to," Maighan said. "I was always taught the Black Ajah, any Darkfriends, were truly evil but I was wrong. The Black sisters have been very accommodating and so has Mistress Halfin."
"There can be strife within the Black as well as towards others, but we have a common cause now. And likely will have for some time," Sheriam replied.
Once the Last Battle was over, they would rule the world, and there would be many positions of power to go around. At some point, with the great inflow of new novices, the best positions would run out and the struggle for power would resume, but that would be for later concern. And those who were part of the Black now would likely have seen themselves firmly established by then.
"See Moria," she told Maighan. "She recruits from the Blue."
"Thank you, I will," Maighan replied.
Annisha made no such request, and Sheriam did not offer. Those who came voluntary, and showed the greatest loyalty, beyond what was induced by the turning, would benefit, but taking that opportunity was everyone's own responsibility.
Evanellein and Melvara had nothing out of the ordinary to report. With the deep tanned skin that was left after the Healing of their sunburn, they could have passed for farmwives themselves, or at least farmwives on a feast day, for their new clothes were too fine for manual labor. They had rested well and had already taken part in the circles that afternoon.
Last of all, Leesa and Kerryn reported on the state of the farm. In spite of being over-crowded, it was still running smoothly. Several of the Warders helped Master Harfin with the labor, as she had seen when she had arrived, and the place was secluded enough that the sisters did not have to spend all day inside either. Any purchases were done far from here, Travel making it possible to buy supplies and the necessities for the rescued sisters in different places, without alerting the locals to the large number of people staying here. And not only that, the two sisters managed to find those places where the shortages were the least severe, thus saving a good bit of gold.
In spite of learning of the deaths of the four Black sisters in Caemlyn, Sheriam was quite satisfied as she returned to the Tower. She had always known those who were captured had little chance to survive, and having two of them back was more than she could have hoped for.
She made a brief report to Mesaana, who took note of the news and received the ter'angreal, and then went to bed early. The past two nights her sleep had been interrupted frequently and she was looking forward to some real rest.