Ta'veren and other difficulties.
Sheriam felt as if she had only just laid down to sleep when she woke to an urgent rapping on the door. Covering herself with a cloak, she opened to find one of Chubain's men, looking harried.
"The Asha'man is here, he needs to speak to you," the man said.
"Jahar?" Sheriam asked sharply.
"No, Keeper, the other one, Fager Neald is his name."
Neald, of course. She told the man to bring the Asha'man to her anteroom and hurriedly threw on her clothes. She pinned the Well in her hair just in case, but did not take the time to brush it or wash, sensing that a visit at this time would be urgent. She channeled, stepped through into her room just as the guardsman, who had to walk the halls, arrived with Fager Neald.
"Aes Sedai." The Ashaman bowed cordially as he entered, but as the guardsman left and the door closed behind him, he dropped down further and knelt, and Sheriam knew whatever report he had was not good.
"What do you have?" she asked shortly. She did not tell him to rise, wanted to hear his failure and his reasons first.
"I apologize for disturbing you at this time of the night," Fager said. "I have tried to take those who can channel as you ordered, but I can't, it's Aybara, he is just so strong ta'veren. Anything, everything I try, whenever I get someone alone, something happens, from mundane stuff like an urgent message to the ridiculous like a perfectly strong, brand new tent line snapping in two. I tried several times with each person, but I am running out of ideas and they are starting to look at me askance when I ask them to join me for some other trivial matter."
Sheriam looked at the man in front of her. In spite of his youth, he had seemed capable enough when he had come here before, when he had been taken, and Nynaeve had also described him as a sensible young man. And she knew from what she had been told that Aybara was strong ta'veren and considered very dangerous. This was not a case of simple incompetence.
"I'm calling Mesaana," she decided.
Fager grew pale and inhaled sharply, of course he knew the Chosen did not take failure lightly. Sheriam did not reassure him, it was the middle of the night and even though Mesaana had been more reasonable lately, she would not be pleased. But there was no helping it, Sheriam knew she could not handle this alone. She channeled into the Call rod.
Despite the hour, Mesaana arrived quickly. She listened as Sheriam explained the problem, and only then turned to Fager, who was still kneeling.
"Tell me everything about these incidents. Every one of them, every detail."
Fager did so, and Mesaana listened, frowning.
"It shouldn't be like this," she said. "It should be more random. The tugging at the Pattern protects the ta'veren, yes, but in a more direct manner, that it also seems to protect those around him is disconcerting. I knew Aybara was dangerous but it is even worse than I though."
She gestured to Fager, "You may take a seat while Sheriam and I decide what to do."
With one more deep bow, the Asha'man stood and then sat on one of the visitor chairs. Mesaana sighed and was silent for several long moments, while Sheriam waited for her to speak.
"Strictly speaking, we don't have to make a move against him," she said finally. "There is the standing order to kill him as well as Mat Cauthon if possible, and the promise of reward, but nothing more specific. Taking the entire Tower as well as a good number of the men is a major task and if I do not go after him, it will not count as an absolute failure. But neither will it look good if it seems we let an opportunity slip. And most important of all, do we dare leave him alive?"
"Al'Thor shouldn't take him to Shayol Ghul itself," Sheriam said. As long as they won there, managed to free the Great Lord, that was the most important.
"He should not, should only take those who can channel there," Mesaana agreed. "But wherever Aybara will be, it will be costly for those who engage him."
She paused.
"If he were anyone else, I would send the lady Shiaine after him, I checked and she has an impressive record. But I'm afraid she would not stand a chance against Aybara. It would have to be someone who can channel, for what little protection the link with the Great Lord provides."
She did not even name Fager as an option, it was obvious that using him would risk their entire operation. Those around him would certainly recall the Asha'man's behavior had changed immediately after his visit to the Tower, if he were to kill or attempt to kill Aybara.
"Could a Black sister do it?" Sheriam wondered. "Karale or Melvara perhaps, so there would be no obvious link to us?"
Mesaana considered this. "Their names should not be known in Aybara's camp, either one of them could claim to come from Egwene, then afterwards anyone here would be able to tell that she had fled the Tower at the time of the testing with the binder. But apart from that, I'm afraid whoever we would send would run into the same problems as Fager here. If she manages to get near him at all, she will get one chance only and I'm afraid that will not be enough." The Chosen paused, then took a deep breath. "We may have to bring him here."
Sheriam felt a chill inside her. Of course they could use Egwene to summon him, make up an excuse why she absolutely had to meet with him. He would probably come. But to bring a ta'veren of his strength here, into the Tower!
"Isn't that a great risk?" she said.
"It is," Mesaana admitted. "But here we will have more opportunity, will have him, and only him, among all of us. It is our best chance."
"Except he will die here, in the Tower. How do we explain that?" Sheriam asked.
"There are ways around that," Mesaana said. "Even if it were a genuine visit, he would have to Travel back to the camp from outside the Dreamspike's influence, and we can put a Mirror of Mists on another to make it seem he has left the Tower unharmed. It has been done before, not all who went over to the Great Lord did so openly even during the War. It will take careful planning, but it can be done, and the risk of the cover plans being thwarted is minimal, once the blacksmith is dead."
Yes, once he was dead. Sheriam could see Mesaana was far from happy with the risk she proposed taking, either. But it had to be done.
Mesaana was thinking hard, speaking as she worked out the plans.
"Fager will Travel with him a point inside the city and ride to the Tower gates. Sheriam, I would like you to meet him there. I can put an extra ward on you, here where no one who isn't ours can sense it. It won't stop all of his influence, but it should help some. Then you bring him here, and I will deal with him myself. Even a ta'veren isn't invulnerable, and once we have him here, we should be able to kill him. The hardest part will be getting him to come."
"Egwene and Nynaeve should know best what will convince him to come," Sheriam said. They would hate having to be a part in the plans at all, but there was no helping it. She would make sure they understood Aybara was a great enough risk that the turning would ensure they did what had to be done, like it or not.
"There will be a dozen little things that can stop him from coming," Mesaana said. "But a ta'veren's influence isn't always straightforward, isn't always beneficial. We will use the fact that he trusts the two girls, and lead him to believe any incidents are caused by the Great Lord's touch on the Pattern, trying to keep him from this important meeting."
The Chosen turned to Fager. "Now don't overdo it with that suggestion. In fact, since people may have been noticing your behavior, leave that part up to us. I will make the summons from Egwene include something to make Aybara expect resistance, perhaps a claim that something similar has happened when she tried to meet with the Cauthon boy. I understand the two rarely get in touch, are not using the opportunities Travel provides."
"I understand, Great One," Fager acknowledged with a bow.
"Now get back to the blacksmith's camp before you are missed. We work out the rest here," she dismissed him.
The Asha'man stood and bowed deep, even as Mesaana channeled and opened a gateway for him to Travel out from under the Dreamspike's sphere of influence. He would have to skim the last bit unless Travel was very different for men -Sheriam realized she wasn't even sure about that- but it would still be quicker than if he had to walk off the Tower grounds.
"Just a boy," Mesaana said, shaking her head as she let the gateway close. "Soldiers of course were young but even at the worst of times I never had to rely on boys his age for any important operations."
This time Mesaana was not just referring to the Asha'man's lack of training in the One Power. The Asha'man was young, she'd say seventeen, or eighteen at most. Not that Aybara was that much older, he, Mat Cauthon and the Dragon were only twenty-one, Egwene was just nineteen, but at that age a couple years could make a lot of difference. She too would prefer someone a little older at least, but they had no choice, Fager had been the one sent by Aybara and was their only link to him, for now.
Mesaana stood. "In the morning, you will call Nynaeve up here. I will work with the two girls to write a summons that will bring Aybara to us. We will work on the cover in the afternoon, I mean to get Moghedien's help on that, she is the expert. Also, right after breakfast, get the turned Green sisters to work on those who have Warders. I've watched Malind and Myrelle and they have their Warders well under control. I believe we've reached the point where letting those with a Warder go free is a greater risk than taking them, especially with a ta'veren coming to the Tower."
Sheriam nodded. "Yes, High Mistress."
Mesaana Traveled and so did she, going back to her rooms and back to sleep.
-0-
Egwene and Nynaeve, naturally, were quite upset when told what they would have to do. Sheriam understood their grief but firmly put down any suggestions Aybara could be taken by other means. It took some convincing, Nynaeve gripping and pulling her braid in frustration and Egwene with tears streaming down her face, and Sheriam was glad she'd had the foresight to call the two girls in early, to give her time to prepare before Mesaana would arrive. Finally, what helped as much as anything was the fact that even though she was Amyrlin in name only, Egwene still felt responsible for the Tower and the Aes Sedai, and she too realized any confrontation on the battlefield was likely to be costly indeed.
As Mesaana arrived and Sheriam took care of some of the other Tower business in her anteroom, not for the first time she missed having an assistant she could trust. This morning she could handle any visitors herself, but she would have preferred to leave someone here to keep the unturned out for the afternoon, when she herself would be gone. Egwene of course realized the importance of keeping up appearances, and she did have the hard Aiel training, but in such a personal matter it would be difficult to pretend nothing was wrong. Well, she would have to manage.
Mesaana returned after Dinner, and they Traveled to Malkier. They checked on the circles first. Several were active, turning both the men from the Black Tower and the Aes Sedai who held a bond. Some of the sisters were grouped off to the side, where Marind was advising them how to handle their Warders. The men were turned by the Aes Sedai, with only one man in each circle, since Demandred had not shared the male version of the weave. Still they had enough who could lead, enough who could fill the circles.
As all was well, they left the shattered building and crossed the large, rubble-strewn square. Jeaine met them at the entrance to the building which Moghedien and Cyndane had appropriated. She clearly knew who Mesaana was, as she knelt the moment she recognized the Chosen. Then, at Mesaana's request, she led the two of them inside.
Here more had been cleaned up and repaired than on the outside. There was no trace of dust left, and all cracks in the inner walls had been sealed. Tapestries hung on the walls and the floor tiles were scrubbed. More than a few rooms had been made habitable and the place looked comfortable and clean. Coming to a large, ornate door, Jeaine knocked, then went in and knelt as she announced the visitors to Moghedien.
Sheriam followed Mesaana in, curtsied deep to the other Chosen, then like last time rose and stood with Mesaana.
Moghedien sat at a writing desk in a sparsely furnished room, which otherwise only contained a few chairs and a mostly empty book case, and a fireplace, empty now in summer time. The furniture was whole and rubbed to a shine, but mismatched, likely had been taken from the ruins and selected on the state of each piece, rather than any consideration of how well they went together. And besides Moghedien's desk, Siuan and Leane knelt.
Sheriam had thought of the possibility of encountering them here, and prepared, managed to show no outward emotion. But it took an effort. Both sisters wore a short linen shift, which only covered their torso and upper legs, and the exposed skin showed numerous welts. They were crouched on their knees, head bent to the floor, a posture that had to be extremely uncomfortable to keep up. Neither had moved even a muscle as Jeaine announced them.
"What do you want?" Moghedien asked. She sounded suspicious. It was clear the Chosen did not like to work together, the more Sheriam saw of how they acted among one another, the more she understood why the turning had been used only sparingly before, why Mesaana had only increased their numbers as a last resort. Not that Aes Sedai were that much different, she admitted to herself, they just tended to be less obvious about it.
Mesaana was not put off by Moghedien's cool welcome. "I have need of your expertise. I mean to kill the blacksmith, and I could use your help with the cover-up, so his army does not learn the Tower is mine."
"And what's in it for me?" Moghedien asked. She still sounded suspicious, but there was also a hint of eagerness in her voice.
"A chance to redeem yourself, at least to some degree," Mesaana replied. "I've noticed the jewelry Moridin wears, I can not promise he will let you have it but your aid in getting rid of Aybara, even only the aftermath, will be of some help."
Moghedien frowned, but only for a moment. Then she got up from her desk with a brisk movement. "Fine, let's sit down and talk about it."
The Chosen turned towards the chairs, which stood grouped together on the other side of the room. Mesaana took one and sat down, and so did Sheriam, waiting until both Chosen sat first. Moghedien frowned as she took a seat, but Mesaana cut off her comment.
"Sheriam knows the city and the people. I value her input."
Moghedien gave a small shrug. Her expression was one of distaste but she did not argue. Instead she snapped her fingers at Siuan and Leane. "Tea."
"Yes, High Mistress," both replied instantly. They lifted their head but kept their eyes downcast as they crawled forward. Were they not even allowed to walk upright? Apparently not, for while Siuan only crossed a little distance, coming to a halt between the two Chosen, where she remained on hands and knees, Leane left the room, still crawling.
Mesaana did not even glance at the two as she explained in a few words what she needed, and Moghedien listened, her expression quickly changing to one of interest.
Then Leane returned, carrying a tray with tea pot and cups. She put the tray down on Siuan's back as on a living table, her face anguished but not a sound crossed her lips. Then she poured teach for all of them, and Sheriam accepted her cup impassionedly, as if handed to her by any other servant.
As they all had their tea, Moghedien made her suggestions. She named weaves Sheriam did not know, but Mesaana explained. Weaves that seemed to be deadly lightning but were harmless, which had at one time been used in something called the theater, where people acted out stories instead of merely telling or singing them. Such weaves could be used to fend off the attackers, to put up a good show, while allowing those attacking to get away unscathed. Other weaves could be used to hold the Mirror of Mists even after death, where a normal weave would dissipate.
Moghedien brought up the possibility of setting off attacks in other places as well, but fortunately Mesaana disagreed. It had to be a targeted attack on Aybara, as it would be far more unbelievable for a ta'veren to be caught in a random assault.
As the plan took shape, Sheriam suggested the best suitable location. Moghedien frowned, but Sheriam managed to keep calm, and as Mesaana took her recommendations, Moghedien did too.
Last of all the tasks were assigned, and Moghedien insisted on being part of the assault force herself. Mesaana was clearly reluctant but eventually gave in, allowing her to lead the attack on 'Aybara'. The others would be Karale, Melvara and Evanellein, all exposed as Black Ajah. None should be caught but they would be recognized by the townspeople, would even show themselves on purpose so it was clear it was not anyone still openly living in the Tower attacking. Others would be posted nearby, Talva, Sedore, Alinya and Birlen, sisters who would be within hearing distance of the commotion and thus would be first on the scene, preventing the few who were not yet theirs from discovering the Mirror of Mists.
When Mesaana was satisfied with the plan, she rose and they took their leave. Moghedien would instruct the sisters who would have to learn the weaves the next day.
Even as they got up, Moghedien ordered Siuan and Leane back to their place next to her desk, then drove them their with lashes of Air even though the pair moved as quickly as they could. Once back in Tar Valon, Sheriam could no longer suppress a sigh.
"Siuan and Leane's treatment bothers you," Mesaana said.
"Yes," Sheriam admitted. She chided herself for losing control, she should not get so comfortable around Mesaana. But denying it would be worse. She added, "they held her leashed, but they never went that far."
Mesaana looked at her. The Chosen hadn't yet changed her appearance, and her blue eyes shone hard. "No, because Siuan is too practical for that, and they needed her to function as Marigan. If it hadn't been for that…"
Sheriam frowned slightly. She knew Siuan could be hard, the woman wouldn't have tortured anyone that bad, would she?
"They wouldn't do that to you or any of the Black. But Moghedien, or me?" Mesaana continued, her voice bitter. "According to those who fight for the Light, we are monsters, no longer human. Now maybe Moridin has been affected by the True Power to a point where he is not all human anymore, and Aginor, some of his experiments affected him too, but that is only the two of them. The rest of us are human, even Sammael and Semirhage, ruthless as they could be. There have been ruthless, sadistic people who claimed to fight on the side of the Light too, in my Age and in this one. It is mostly because we were imprisoned with the Great Lord, that the tales grew and we have become legendary monsters. To many that makes us not worth even the least consideration that one would give any other enemy, any other prisoner. I'm not sure Siuan would have been different."
Sheriam nodded slowly. She did not think Siuan would get enjoyment out of any kind of torture, but if she'd thought it had a purpose, she would have gone far beyond what she'd have done to any other. And Egwene, Egwene had been so definite in stating when told Elaida was likely taken by the Seanchan that 'no one' deserved that -yet she had held the a'dam on Moghedien. She said so to Mesaana.
"See?" Mesaana replied. "Those on the side of the Light often do such things. Lews Therin holds this silly notion against killing women, and yet he ordered the attacks on Tal'Eir and Gheshain. Cities larger than Tar Valon, and both were mostly destroyed. Did he think there were no women, no families living there? Yes, they were my people, many who worked to supply my armies with clothes, tents, vehicles, weapons, and their children would have grown up to join my army. But they were people. I've attacked their cities, and I can't say to the nearest thousand how many people I've killed let alone ordered killed, but I've never felt the need to pretend they were not human."
Sheriam understood the Chosen's bitterness. It had been this hypocrisy that had strengthened her resolve to fight for the Great Lord before the turning had. She had her doubts about the whole 'Light' and 'Dark' anyhow. In the White Tower library there was a secret section, more secret than the knowledge passed on to each Amyrlin only, some shelves warded and guarded by the Black. And only the Council could access it. But she was on the Council, and she had read the fragments saved from ancient stories. Stories that named the Great Lord not as a total opposite of the Creator, but as a similar being, perhaps a senior servant or assistant to him. There had been a conflict, a falling out, and the Great Lord had lost. And as always, the winner was made the good guy and the loser the bad guy, and the more time passed the more established their roles became.
With a grimace, Mesaana returned to the business at hand. "Notify those who will report to Moghedien tomorrow," she instructed. "I will take care of delivering the message to Aybara. I expect resistance there too, but it should be possible to ensure he gets it. Tonight, we will finalize our plans for the sisters with al'Thor."
Sheriam acknowledged, and as Mesaana Traveled directly from her anteroom, she sent off a summons to the Black sisters. Then she went in to check on Egwene, but she did not mention seeing Siuan and Leane.
Egwene was still clearly having a hard time with the entire situation, and Sheriam decided to send her from the Tower when Aybara came. She would know better than to interrupt anything, but her emotions were strong and with Aybara so strong ta'veren, Sheriam did not want to test the limits of the turning, any more than she knew Mesaana did. It would be safer to send Egwene to Malkier, well away from Aybara's influence.
-0-
After checking on Egwene and going over the reports and messages that had been brought in during her absence, Sheriam called the Council together. She wanted their opinions on the sisters who were with al'Thor. Some of them she knew well, but others less so. Fortunately, even though they still had none from the Red on the Council, there were those who had been at least a bit closer to the sisters who had tried to take al'Thor captive. With their help, she came up with two she would propose to Mesaana to be caught as Black Ajah.
This discussion made clear more than anything that the Council was lacking anyone from the Red, as well as the Green. With Evanellein and Marillin, at least the Grey and the Brown were represented, but they had been gone during the past weeks. And it was they who addressed the issue, but Sheriam readily agreed to replace the missing sisters.
Dawn, Kerryn and Nesita were obvious choices, proving their worth repeatedly since Verin's attempt at betrayal. Margory had also earned herself a place as she watched over Tiana's charges while in Salidar and on the road to Tar Valon, but Sheriam was less certain about the last position. If she spread the positions among the Ajahs evenly, it'd have to be a Red or a Brown, although this was not absolutely required. Alviarin had favored her own Ajah when she had replaced Janya with Leesa, when she had been appointed as Ajah Head. The only other Red besides Nesita who had stood out was Silviana, and from the Brown Saerin had done rather more than the turning required, but they were turned, and not Black Ajah yet. That, however, had been another thing they needed to discuss.
The Black, now, was no longer simply the Ajah of all who followed the Great Lord. And conversely, almost all among the Black were still dedicated to their assumed Ajah as well; like Sedore and Dagdara who would always be Healers, Dawn and Kerryn who would be the first to guard or do battle.
They talked it over and quickly agreed the Black would now be for those who came to them voluntarily and those who showed great dedication even if they did have to be turned. Positions of influence would be filled by the Black even more than before, naturally.
With the information from the Council, Sheriam made a selection for al'Thor's sisters, and Mesaana readily accepted her plan. Then the Chosen instructed her as to the dealings with Cadsuane, and her ter'angreal set, far more extensive and dangerous than Nynaeve's had been. Not as great as risk as the taking of Aybara, Cadsuane was not to be taken lightly. Only when Mesaana was sure of the plan, they went off to their respective quarters to get a good night's rest before the taking of al'Thor's sisters.
-0-
Graendal looked at the prickly straw in dismay, and shuddered, but not a sound of complaint crossed her lips. She would not make that mistake again in a hurry.
It had been the previous evening, just before supper. She's been cutting the vegetables, who knew a Myrddraal even ate vegetables, or required a decent, cooked meal? She had been tired, sitting down no matter how much her behind and thighs hurt on the hard wooden chair, but even so she could barely keep herself from swaying. The straw in their small sleeping den was lumpy, the rough blanket pricked against her scalded skin and even after she had washed it still smelled faintly of horse, she hadn't slept at all since she'd arrived here. The carrots cut, she'd gotten up, and without thinking had put everything, butt ends and all, into the pot on the stove. Verin had seen what she did and called out a warning, just too late.
"Graendal, please be careful, he will punish us both," the woman had chided her.
And even as she started to fish for the bad bits, she'd burst out, "I'm just so tired. I told you I couldn't sleep on that blasted sorry excuse for a bed!"
She couldn't die of exhaustion, she knew her immortality hadn't been taken from her, but she was on the verge of passing out. Gritting her teeth, she turned back to the pot and fished for another carrot end.
"Unhappy with the sleeping arrangements, I hear?"
She froze, the dry, crumbling voice chilling her to the bone. Then she whirled around and dropped to her knees.
"No, High Master, forgive me," she started, but she knew it was useless, knew he had heard.
"Then perhaps you won't mind joining me tonight at Full. I assure you my bed is soft and the linen clean."
She knew that, she'd had to make his bed herself that morning. And even then she'd remembered Verin's words and hoped against hope that she'd never have to lay there. And now, so soon. She felt her mouth go dry and she had to lick her lips before replying.
"Yes, High Master."
Without another word he turned and left.
Verin looked at her with hard eyes. Graendal still didn't know who Verin was, or how she had ended up here. The state her hands were in made it likely she too had failed the Great Lord in some way, but it was also possible Shaidar Haran had simply picked her up at random when he had decided he needed a servant, and had done that to make her cooperate.
She could feel Verin's ability to channel, far less than hers although not too weak compared to most who called themselves Aes Sedai in this Age, and of course she was not allowed to touch Saidar here any more than she was. The woman did not have the ageless look, but somehow she still acted like she was Tower trained, she certainly did not look like an Aiel or Sea Folk. One of those Kin perhaps, from the South?
She could simply ask, they had plenty of time to talk during their work or at the times of rest, there was little work for the two of them, and Shaidar Haran had not forbidden them to speak. But she was reluctant to do so, to make even the slightest approach. She was -had been- one of the Chosen, and whatever Verin had been, she could not truly see her as an equal. Never mind that Verin often had to give her instructions, not because she stood higher but because she had been here longer and knew what Shaidar Haran required. Knew more of how to cook, too, especially using a primitive stove like this, and without using the One Power. Graendal had cooked her own meals before she had joined the Great Lord, but she'd had both Saidar and a selection of appliances like a fast cooker, chopper, and other things no one in this Age had even heard of. So she had to let Verin direct her for now, but she would not get friendly. Verin did not seem to be inclined to do so either, which suited her well.
Biting her lip, Graendal pushed herself up from the floor, picked up the spoon she had dropped on the stove top, and went back to retrieving the carrot ends. She made sure she fished out every piece, the last thing she needed was more punishment.
She ate nothing that night. She felt dizzy and weak but she remembered all too well what he'd done when she had thrown up two days ago, when he had taken her captive, and she did not care to repeat the experience. After washing the pots and dishes she sat at the kitchen table and dozed until Full, fear of being late keeping her from falling asleep completely. Verin went to bed without a word and Graendal wished she could join her, the straw and rough blanket seeming not so bad anymore.
Cold fear clenching her stomach, she got up and walked to Shaidar Haran's room. The door opened by itself, to show Shaidar Haran himself laying in bed, leaning on one elbow as he watched her come in. She knelt as soon as she was inside and bowed her head.
"Ah yes, Graendal," Shaidar Haran said. "Nicely on time, but I had expected no different. Stand up."
She stood, shaking, trying hard to keep her breathing under control.
"Now as to your complaint about the bed. I am sure many of your own prisoners and servants did not have as much, did they?"
She shook her head. Most times she had not provided them with any kind of bed or blanket at all, just the bare floor. But that had been different, hadn't it?
"To make you appreciate my generosity, tomorrow night you will do without the blanket, and lay directly on the straw. Furthermore, there is a briar bush out front, and nettles growing around the dung heap next to the stables. One more complaint about your bed and you will add a liberate amount of both to the straw. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Great One," she replied quickly, almost relieved. When he had started about the brambles, she'd feared he would make her pick them already.
"Now, take off your clothes and join me," he ordered, even as he threw his blanket back, exposing all his pasty, pale body.
Graendal bit back a sob as she pulled the rough dress, then the shift, over her head. When he had taken her from her hiding place, he hadn't asked, had simply torn off her clothes with the True Power, discarding them as rags. But he wouldn't do that now, not when he had provided her clothes in the first place. She promised herself she would not complain about those, not ever. What would he do then, make her stuff her shift with nettles or make her go naked completely, so his eyeless gaze would be on her all the time whenever he was in the room? Letting her clothes fall to the floor, she made herself step forward and get into the bed beside him.
She wasn't sure what was the worse. His cold touch all over her body, his gaze up so close, while he forbade her to close her eyes or look away, or the liquid fire as whatever kind of seed a Myrddraal had burned her insides as if it were pure acid. Perhaps the worst of all had been that when he was done, and he had told her to rest, she had actually fallen asleep, from pure exhaustion had actually slept, right there, next to him.
And now she was looking at another sleepless night. Her skin was less painful than it had been, but it was still sensitive, and she had more than a few fresh scratches from Shaidar Haran's sharp nails. She laid down carefully, flinching as the harsh straw pricked her. She stiffened, trying to move as little as possible and failing as each new move caused the straw to prick her more, causing her to flinch again, which made the straw prick her… It was going to be a long night. She looked ruefully at the blanket she had put aside, and realized she actually looked forward to being able to roll into the hated thing tomorrow evening.