Chapter 1

Conversations in Fal Dara

With the return of the townspeople of Fal Dara a sense of normalcy had returned to the keep as well. But I couldn't pass through the hallways without notice even now. They didn't know much, but they knew I'd followed Lan and Moiraine into the Blight and had come out with them. They saw me as a southerner so being able to survive that place for even an hour or two earned me a measure of respect. Coupled with the rumor that we had something to do with the return of spring and I was more of a celebrity than I liked, though a minor one.

Turning the corner I saw a familiar figure standing near one of the narrow windows, staring out of it with unfocused eyes. Eyes that glowed in the dim light of the early morning. "Perrin."

He twitched and quickly looked at me before casting his gaze down. "Master Shen." He turned away slightly.

"I think we're past the point where you can call me Ron. Haven't seen you in a couple of days." I hadn't seen much of anybody as I'd been busy interviewing people. I'd seen Mat and Loial, as well as Nynaeve. I'd had to fend off quite a few questions when she realized that my bad burn had healed completely. Could have said Moiraine had done it, but the Aes Sedai was still recovering, and I rather not outright lie to these people.

Perrin shrugged, but said nothing.

I tapped my thigh as I considered just leaving, but no. "I'm not seeing your friends. I thought you'd be with them, after all this."

"Rand's practicing with Lan again. And Mat's off playing dice with whoever he can." Perrin hadn't looked in my direction once as he spoke.

"Right. Well, if you've got nothing better to do, come with me." I made a come along gesture and took a step, but he shook his head.

"No, I'm fine."

"No need to lie, now," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You obviously need a distraction from whatever thoughts are running around in that head of yours and I know just the thing."

He hesitated, but didn't resist when I pulled him along now. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see." I led him down the stairs and out of the keep. The weather was fine. Birds whirled through the air and chattered the entire time, but their song was drowned out by the hammering from the smithies.

Perrin's gaze, so firmly locked on the floor up to now, slid up when he realized I was leading him to one of the forges in operation.

I patted him on the shoulder and moved over to the one blacksmith who knew me. "Hunsho, how are you?"

The Shienaran glanced at me but didn't cease his steady hammering. "Well enough. More alive than I feared I'd be a week ago." The metal had cooled too much and it went back in the forge. Wiping away sweat from his forehead, he turned to me. "And how are you faring?"

"Well enough," I echoed him. "I've got several articles for my newspaper which I'll need to get back to Caemlyn." I looked at the other forges in operation. Only three were cold right now. "Looks like they're keeping you and the others in work."

"Peace, the only time our work is more needed than at the eve of battle is in the aftermath of one. The army managed to lose half their horseshoes and all their arrows. Then there's the armor that needs repairing and the weapons they managed to break on Trollocs. But I don't complain, at least we're alive to do the work and prepare for the next fight."

"Then how about me and my friend lend a hand." I clapped Perrin on the shoulder. "He's been a blacksmith's apprentice for many years so he knows his way around the anvil better than I do."

Hunsho shook his head. "I'll remind you, Master Shen, that I've seen you at work. You taught me a thing or two in that hour. But if you think he can do the work, then you can light that one and help with the horseshoes," he said, indicating the forge to our left.

"Excellent." Perrin followed me over and we started our work.

"I thought you were a scholar? A writer?" He stared at me with his yellow gold eyes before he realized I'd caught him and quickly turned his attention back to banking the flames.

"I am. But who is just one thing? I am a writer, a minor scholar, yes, but also an artificer and a few things more. Same as you," I said. "You're not just a blacksmith."

"Apprentice. I still have a lot to learn."

"Don't we all." I slid a piece of iron into the reddening coals. "But my point is, you're not just a blacksmith's apprentice."

He hunched his shoulders. "I don't know what you mean."

"Hmm." I decided not to press right away and took the metal out of the coals. We took turns hammering the hot iron to draw it out. The anvil rang with each strike and each blow seemed to hammer some tension out of Perrin.

I waited until the iron was back in the coals before I spoke up again. "So you haven't seen much of your friends, then?"

"No." Perrin's shoulders relaxed when I didn't resume our previous conversation.

"Not surprising," I said. "Not good, but you all have your own troubles you're struggling with."

Perrin's hand on the hammer tightened. "What do you mean by that?"

"That the three of you are so wrapped up in your own issues that you don't notice your friends are dealing with something as well. Mat is still tied to that dagger that is slowly eating his soul. Or maybe poisoning it, not clear about that."

Perrin's eyes grew wide. "I thought Moiraine fixed it so that it wouldn't?"

"She delayed it, is my understanding. He needs to go to Tar Valon to be separated from it and there will be damage. There is damage, I should say. Can't see how there wouldn't be. Take the iron out of the fire, it's at the right temperature."

Perrin blinked and shook his head. Only then did he understand what I said, but he still stared for a moment at the heated metal before pulling it out. "What do you mean, damage?"

"Well, whatever infected Aridhol to turn it into Shadar Logoth, it's in him now." In Mat and Padan Fain. What to do about that one? Nidao and his friend had been assigned as his guards and that nagged at me. I put another piece of metal into the fire.

We finished drawing it out and proceeded to bend the iron around the horn of the anvil with more blows of the hammer. We didn't get far before the metal needed to be brought back up to temperature.

"Moiraine halted it, for now, but the process had started. Mat's not going to come out of it unscathed and he must know it. So he's dealing with that, or trying not to think about it. Same goes for Rand. He didn't get infected like Mat did, but he faced his own share of horrors and truths. And then there's you."

"I'm fine. All I did was run when Moiraine told us to." The red glow of the forge breathed in time with the bellows.

"Wasn't talking about that. You keep hiding your eyes, but don't think I didn't notice how different they look from when I saw you back in the Two Rivers. Want to talk about it?"

"No." He took the horseshoe out of the coals and finished shaping it. I placed a drift, and while Perrin held the hot piece of metal I made the first hole. After the holes, back into the coals it went for one last time

"That's okay. I can talk for you, then." I hesitated, but I think Someshta would forgive me this little lie. "I happened to note how your eyes had changed to the Green Man and he recognized it. Said it was the mark of a Wolfbrother. Said it was a very old thing, running with wolves."

The bellows stopped and Perrin stumbled off of the pedal. He looked ready to bolt.

"Easy there," I said. "I suppose it is a shock, finding out you're different. That you're not just what you thought you were." I could speak from recent experience on that one.

Perrin wet his lips. "I'm a man." The heat of the forge slowly died.

I took over for him. "So you are. Wait, are you worried about turning into a wolf?"

He looked about, but nobody was near enough to hear. Not with all the work going on. "What do you know?"

"Not as much as I'd like. I'm new here, remember. But according to Someshta the Wolfbrothers ran with wolves. They didn't turn into one."

"Unless I lose myself," Perrin said softly. "Unless I forget I'm human."

"That's not something you can forget, not unless you want to," I said. "It's at the right color, you can quench it."

The metal sizzled as Perrin put the horseshoe in the oil. He held it there for a few heartbeats before pulling it out and hanging it up on a peg so that the oil could drip off. He joined me at the forge as I'd put a new piece of iron into the coals. "I almost did already. I killed two Whitecloaks because they killed Hopper. All I wanted was to kill."

"I've never been privy to the thoughts of wolves. But the desire to avenge a fallen friend is very human. Are you sure that whatever impulse you had, wasn't actually you? Rather than some outside influence?"

"I'm not like that. I've never wanted to hurt anybody in my life!"

"Nobody had ever killed one of your friends in front of your eyes before," I said. "Give it some thought. Come, there's still plenty of horseshoes we need to make."

As I watched Perrin work, I held hope that maybe I'd made a difference here; some small difference.

VVVV

Nidao looked sullen as I stepped into the guards' barracks. It was dark here in the dungeon, it felt dark. "What do you want?"

"Good afternoon, Nidao." His friend leaned against the wall next to the door to the cells. Changu had a hand resting lightly on his dagger. "I was hoping to speak to Padan Fain. It's for background on an article I'm writing."

"The Darkfriend sure is popular," Changu said. "Everyone wants to talk to him instead of us."

"I don't mind buying the both of you a round tonight and talk about whatever you like." I gave the decor an obvious look-over. "Somewhere where there's some music and a nice warm fire."

Changu wasn't mollified. "You don't want to take your Darkfriend out for a drink?"

I gave him a shrug. "I've never met the man, but he may have information that's important. Why do you think everybody else wants to talk to him? Now, am I allowed to see him or have you decided it's too dangerous?"

Nidao shook his head. "No, no. It's perfectly safe, I'm sure."

Changu opened the inner door and I approached the opening. "May I have a lamp?"

"Not eager to meet the Darkfriend in the dark?" Changu giggled at his joke while Nidao grabbed one lamp off the shelf and handed it over to me.

I lit the lamp. "I'm more worried about meeting a wall or two in the dark." I'd barely passed through when the reinforced door slammed shut behind me, the latches sliding shut again.

"Just scream when you want out. Someone might hear you," Changu shouted through the door.

They'd been in Fain's presence for a few days now, hours each day, and already their personalities had changed. And something would happen to them when Fain got broken out, as I recalled. Pretty sure they died, given that Shadowspawn wouldn't spare anybody in their way.

Obeying the rules set down since Silence of the Lambs, the most dangerous prisoner occupied the cell furthest from the entrance. I passed several occupied cells, the men inside shying away from the light of the lamp. One had the look of a brawler, another had the topknot of a soldier while the third wasn't dressed like a Shienaran at all.

At last I saw Padan Fain, sitting on his cot. He didn't shy from the light, though he squinted as he looked at me. His clothes hung off of him and looked a size too big. He looked … hungry, but they fed their prisoners as well as most people in the keep.

"Who are you?"

"I suppose we were never properly introduced." I set the lamp down at my feet and took out my notebook and pencil. "I'm Ron Shen. I actually saw you arrive in Emond's Field before Winternight."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've been going by the name Padan Fain these last few years, though that is not my real name." His voice was oily and his accent shifted as he spoke. "I needed a false identity to hide from my many enemies. You … you were in the company of the Aes Sedai. And al'Thor."

He snarled those last four words. His bony hands flexed before he pulled back a little. "What do you want from me?"

"To talk. You had an encounter with Machin Shin, the Black Wind. I wanted to hear about that experience in your own words. And whether you were protected by your connection to the Dark One, or by something else?" I had not forgotten the score I still had to settle with that thing. It would pay.

"I-You should not believe Aes Sedai lies, Master Shen. I'm but a lost soul seeking his way back to the Light. My soul is still my own, I assure you." He tried to smile, but it spread no further than his lips.

"Someone followed us through the Ways," I said, making a note. "That person would have come across Machin Shin. No way to avoid it. If you didn't follow us, care to explain how you arrived at Fal Dara so soon after us?"

"Yes, yes. I see how you have been misled. But I, I came straight here from the Two Rivers. I came to warn Lord Agelmar, that is all." He spread his fingers like a spider's web. "But some fear what I can do for him and Shienar. What I can do against the Shadow. That is the reason I am locked up here and tortured by that Aes Sedai."

"That would be a hard journey." I considered my options. Perhaps I could sever Padan Fain from the corruption of Shadar Logoth, much like I had broken the link between the shard and the angel. But this creature was necessary still. Without Fain, what would draw Rand and the Horn to Falme? There, Rand would become known as the Dragon Reborn. But if Fain didn't take it there, the Shadowspawn would take the Horn north instead and be lost to the good guys while the Seanchan invasion continued without serious opposition.

"Uhm, yes. It was. It took its toll on me but I am recovering. Yes I am. But what are these questions in service of? Who do you report to?"

I had no intention of giving Fain of all things a reason to turn his attention to the Caemlyn Times and my people. "Anybody that can spare a few coppers. Well, you've given me some things to look into. Thank you for your time."

Padan hurled a question at my back. "Are you working for the Aes Sedai?"

I didn't bother answering him, but did take the time to visit each of the other prisoners. Extending my power I drew Fain's poison out of their souls, freeing them from his influence. I did the same for Changu and Nidao, they looked dazed as their world became a little brighter again.

But while that miracle still hummed within my own soul, I could sense that corruption seeping back in. This was not a solution.

VVVV

The next morning I went in search of Moiraine Sedai. It took some asking but I found her resting in Agelmar's private garden underneath a roof of twined tree boughs. Spring had arrived but a week or so ago, and yet those small trees were already decorated with white blossoms.

She was alone, and had the remains of the seal in her lap, but she smiled anyway at the small gem dangling from the chain between her fingers.

That smile took on a more reserved cast when I cleared my throat and she placed the jewel on top of the seal. "Master Shen." She glanced at the heavy door that was the only way in or out of the garden. "I'd thought I'd locked it. Were you looking for me?"

"I was. I wanted to let you know I'll be leaving today and heading back to Caemlyn. I've got plenty of material for the next couple of issues of the Caemlyn Times."

"Is that wise?" She sat up a little straighter. "Some stories are best left to rest until the right time has arrived. Some information would only cause panic and harm to innocent people."

"Like the fact that Tarmon Gai'don is approaching and that the Forsaken are out and about? Or will be soon, if those two were the first to break out." There was a bench nearby and I sat down on it. "Without solid proof, I can't really publish that."

"You should consider remaining here. I believe you'll learn more by staying in Fal Dara and I can't protect you if you leave."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Thank you, but I can take care of myself."

"And what if I ask Agelmar to detain you?"

I let out a breath. "I would prefer we part on good terms. And not to embarrass Lord Agelmar. He seems like a good man, and he has enough to deal with already. Especially once he learns the Amyrlin Seat is on her way here."

Moiraine released her hold on the remains of the seal but didn't quite bring her hands up. "What are you?"

I froze, not expecting her to just ask me. I also became aware that the garden wasn't the only source of the flowers I'd been smelling. Could I sense it if she was just holding the One Power, or was I sensing her doing something? But if so, what was she doing?

I shook my head and decided to extend a hand. "Language is a funny thing. It funnels and colors our thoughts. How to describe something for which the language does not have the words? How to tell when the meaning of the word has changed so much?"

Standing up, I incline my head towards her. "We can discuss this when we meet again. Some place with a bit more room. Oh, and before I forget... Padan Fain."

"What about him?"

"Have you seen him since we came back?"

A tone of disgust enters her voice. "I have interviewed the man again. Why do you ask?"

"Because I visited him in his cell and … I think he might be a memetic hazard."

"I'm not familiar with the term," she said slowly.

"Ah, language again." How to explain it. "A memetic hazard is an infectious idea. It spreads like a disease. But as it is an idea, it spreads through symbols and words rather than … bad air or water." I didn't know if these people knew about germ theory. "Padan Fain is having an effect on both the guards and the other prisoners. I've noticed a change in behavior in just a week."

"And you're familiar with this?"

I give her a shrug. "Read about them. By their nature, you can't know too much without getting infected. But whatever effect Padan Fain has is slow and limited." I hesitated, but I didn't want to see Nidao and his friend dead out of fear either. "I helped the prisoners and guards, but continued exposure is going to undo the repairs. If you want to keep Padan Fain, you need to limit any contact with people to the absolute minimum. Clear the dungeon and the entire sub-basement of people, including the guard quarters."

"And you don't worry about your own health?"

"Travel abroad isn't safe without the necessary precautions. And I do have my tricks." I gave her a smile and a shrug.

Moiraine said nothing, only examined me with her hands resting on her knees. "The Wheel can weave some strange patterns. Very well, I will accept your word for now. But you should speak more freely soon."

"Moiraine, trust is a two-way street." I give her a bow. "But I wish you a swift recovery. And I expect we will meet each other again soon enough."

I swept out of the small garden and went looking for the others. I still had to say goodbye to everyone else.