Moiraine and Lan's calm days are over, and Anvaere isn't happy to hear about their departure. What will await the pair in the Sun Palace?
The sun slowly faded when Moiraine and Lan returned to Anvaere's house. The Aes Sedai and the Warder had stayed at the lake for hours, and Lan had even been able to lighten the mood after his failed attempt at teasing Moiraine.
When the woman of the Blue Ajah saw the house of her sister through the trees, she turned her head to Lan. "It was a wonderful idea to go riding. Thank you."
The uncrowned king of Malkier smiled at her, then took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Even though I ruined the day with my behavior at the waterfall?"
Moiraine took a deep breath. "I didn't like that. But the rest… I liked the rest of the day. And everything before you went swimming." A smile appeared on her lips, and she repeated softly, "Thank you."
Lan kissed her fingers again. "Anything for you, my Aes Sedai."
When the two travelers returned, Anvaere and Eliza waited in front of the house. And the oldest Damodred sister didn't seem happy. Angrily, she stormed toward them while Eliza tried to stop her.
"Here it goes," Moiraine murmured, bracing herself for the storm. "Perhaps we should turn around and run."
"Just say it, and we're out of here."
The Aes Sedai smirked at Lan's answer. She had no doubt this man would immediately get her out of there if she asked him. Instead, she dismounted Aldieb, meeting her sister eye to eye.
"Where have you been all day?! This-!"
Moiraine's eyes widened when she saw her sister freezing in motion. She couldn't even move her mouth anymore! And then she saw the weaves of air wrapped around her sister. Someone used the One Power!
She followed the weaves with her eyes until they fell on Alanna, who crossed the distance, and Moiraine felt sick all of a sudden.
"Forgive me, but she is driving me nuts for hours. I can't listen to her any longer." The Green Sister sighed, frustrated. "She isn't very good with people, is she?"
"Please, release her."
Light, her voice sounded so weak! The sight of Alanna – and she recognized Maksim and Ihvon in the distance, standing beside their horses – reminded her why her friend had returned. The Green Sister would bring her to Cairhien and Siuan!
Alanna grimaced at Moiraine's request yet undid the weaves. And Anvaere didn't need long to speak her mind.
"What in light's name was that?! What did you do to me, woman?!"
"I used weaves of air to keep you from moving and using your mouth – since you constantly forget when it's a good time to shut up," the Green Sister answered sweetly.
Moiraine led Aldieb aside and tied her reins to the fence. It was useless to release her from the saddle. Alanna wouldn't wait for the morning to return to Cairhien – they would leave tonight. Lan followed her example.
"I'm assuming she has arrived in Cairhien?"
Immediately, the smile faded on Alanna's lips, and she was serious again. She nodded with a clear apology in her eyes. "I'm here to bring you to her."
"Her?! Where do you take my sister?! Moiraine!"
"I…." Her voice cracked, so she cleared her throat and tried again – this time, a little bit firmer. "I need to grab a few things."
Alanna nodded understanding. "But hurry. We're already late. She expected us hours ago."
"Understood."
Without asking more questions, Moiraine left for the house. She didn't have much but needed to pack. Lan followed her on her heels.
"You can't be serious!"
"Anvaere, we've already discussed this." On the outside, Moiraine wore her calm Aes Sedai mask but was a mess on the inside. Sometimes, she noticed her hands trembling for a moment when she stopped focusing.
"We didn't discuss anything! This woman comes here with her errand boys – to MY house! – and demands to see you because the Amyrlin Seat orders you to Cairhien! And you obey!"
"She is the Amyrlin Seat. You don't ask questions. You obey."
Sighing, Moiraine closed her saddlebag. It was exhausting to pack with a furious Anvaere by your side. But the oldest Damodred sister had refused to leave.
"Why does she order you to Cairhien?! Shouldn't she be in Tar Valon?!"
"She visits King Galldrian and wants to see me."
Suddenly, Anvaere placed her hand on the tied bag to stop Moiraine from leaving. The woman was still furious, but when she spoke, her voice was calmer – more reasoning. "You can't go to Cairhien, Moiraine. It's not safe there for a Damodred."
"I'll be all right. Besides, I have Lan to protect me."
The older woman rolled her eyes, annoyed when the woman of the Blue Ajah mentioned her Warder. Although she had seen him fight, she refused to trust him.
"I already didn't like when you left for Cairhien the last time. And look what happened! You returned home with a Warder!"
"Not just a Warder, Anvaere, but MY Warder. Don't forget that Lan is bonded to me for a very long time. I told you that."
"What will you bring back this time?! A second Warder?!" Apparently, Moiraine's sister overheard the answer on purpose.
The Aes Sedai sighed. She had no time to explain her entire life to her sister. Alanna was waiting for her. "I belong to the Blue Ajah. We only bond one Warder at a time, unlike the Greens."
A smile tugged at Moiraine's lips when she saw a clear relief on her sister's face. It seemed she honestly had worried Moiraine would also start to gather various men around her. "Good. I don't think I would survive another stoic face."
The eyes of the Aes Sedai widened. "Would you please not talk about Lan like that? He does show emotions."
Anvaere raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Only when he looks at you. Otherwise, there are rarely any emotions coming from him."
"That's not true!"
"Have you watched your Warder when he is not looking at you?" Anvaere shook her head. "His eyes shine with love and tenderness when they take you in, but there is nothing in them once they turn to someone else."
Moiraine winced when she heard someone clearing his voice in her back. Lan stood in the door with their provisions. How much had he heard? Her Warder knew about her difficulty with food in Cairhien and had asked Eliza to arrange something. "Are you ready?"
The word 'No' stuck in the Aes Sedai's throat. She wasn't ready – not to return to Cairhien, not to go to the Sun Palace, and definitely not ready to see Siuan again. What would she think of her? Would she take the serpent ring from her?
Moiraine swallowed hard. "I've packed everything."
Lan's eyes narrowed at her slightly. Even without the bond, he saw the slight changes in her posture, voice, and eyes. She had no doubt he had noticed her word twisting, not giving him a clear 'Yes' or 'No'. Light, she could see how his brain was already searching for a solution – a way for her to escape this situation.
But when the uncrowned king of Malkier took a step into the room, the Cairhien woman nipped his attempt in the bud. "We shouldn't let Alanna wait any longer."
Lan didn't like what she was doing there, and she saw his eyes flicking to Anvaere, probably hoping the oldest Damodred sister would leave so they could talk freely – but she didn't.
Moiraine turned to her saddlebag, pushing Anvaere's hand gently off. Her sister growled, but the woman of the Blue Ajah didn't care. She would leave this house tonight.
Lan appeared behind her – giving her a gentle nudge to move aside – then threw the bag over his shoulder.
For a moment, the Aes Sedai thought about saying something but saw the determination in Lan's eyes. He wouldn't let her carry the bag. So, she simply nodded. "Let's go."
Alanna, Maksim, and Ihvon had already mounted their horses while Lan and Moiraine tied the last bags on their horses.
"This is ridiculous!" Anvaere was still not ready to give up. "It's getting dark! The guards at the gates won't let you in once you reach Cairhien! Why can't you leave in the morning?!"
"We are Aes Sedai," Alanna explained calmly, yet there was a certain annoyance in her voice. "They will let us in."
"Will they let you in, or will you open those gates yourself with that power of yours?!"
Lan heard Moiraine sighing while she fought with her bag and blended Anvaere and Alanna out. Her thoughts were probably miles away when she failed with such a simple task. Calmly, he stepped behind her, taking over, while his arms created a cage around her, shielding her from the outworld.
"We could still run," he whispered in her ear, and Moiraine shivered. "One word and I'll get us out of here."
A sad chuckle crossed the Aes Sedai's lips. "We would never make it. Besides, how do you suggest we escape an Aes Sedai and her two Warders? Especially since I can't use…." She couldn't say it. Her hands trembled, and she pressed them against Aldieb's flank to hide the tremble.
Lan's hands covered hers. "One word."
"Please, don't tempt me." Her voice almost broke.
The uncrowned king of Malkier sighed, then pressed a kiss on her hair. "As you wish." Blood and ashes! He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and run! Why was Siuan calling Moiraine to Cairhien? Why couldn't she ask for somewhere else? Why did it have to be that city?
From the corner of his eye, Lan saw a pissed Anvaere moving around Aldieb. Time to take my hands off Moiraine, or Anvaere will rip my head off. The Warder squeezed his Aes Sedai's arms comforting, then stepped back.
Suddenly, the hand of the oldest Damodred sister closed tightly around his arm, and she brought her face close to his. "You won't leave her side, Warder!"
Lan fought against his instinct to free his arm while keeping eye contact with Moiraine's sister. "I won't leave her until she tells me to go."
"Anvaere!" Moiraine hissed angrily. "Let go of Lan!"
But instead of letting go, the Cairhien woman stepped even closer until her and Lan's noses almost touched. "You won't leave her side! Not even when she tells you to go! She isn't safe in Cairhien! Don't leave her side!"
"I won't let anything happen to her, my lady."
"Enough!" The Aes Sedai pushed herself between her sister and her Warder and separated them. "Leave Lan alone, Anvaere."
The older woman sighed, annoyed, then wrapped her arms around Moiraine. Lan saw the stiffness in his Aes Sedai's body. She obviously hadn't expected that. "Be careful, Moiraine. If you see Barthanes or Caraline… then turn around."
The woman of the Blue Ajah chuckled, then returned the hug. "I will try."
"And when you meet Galldrian… well, make sure you're never alone with him."
"Understood."
Suddenly, Anvaere's eyes found Lan again. "You bring her back here once you're done in Cairhien, Warder."
Moiraine growled, trying to push off her sister, but the older woman had a strong grip. "Do you hear me?"
Lan sighed. He hoped Moiraine decided to return to the Borderlands once they could leave Cairhien. It was already exhausting to deal with her stubbornness. But having two Damodreds around? He assumed Eliza would also be relieved to be rid of his Aes Sedai.
"I'll go wherever she goes."
"You bring her back here." This time, Anvaere empathized every single word, threatening.
Luckily, Eliza stepped in before Lan had to answer. She freed Moiraine from Anvaere's hug, wished them a safe ride to Cairhien, and hugged both the Aes Sedai and the Warder before she led the oldest Damodred sister aside.
Lan helped Moiraine in Aldieb's saddle, then mounted Mandarb. Next stop: Cairhien.
They rode in silence. The light was quickly fading, yet they didn't stop. The Amyrlin was waiting for them, and she wouldn't be happy about their late arrival. The good thing was that they were faster than Moiraine the last time since they all wore riding clothes and had strong horses. Yet, they didn't reach Cairhien before the gates closed.
Alanna cursed when she saw the closed gate but went there nonetheless. The guards opened the gates like she had told Anvaere. However, she wasn't happy since the king had to be informed about their arrival. Of course, Siuan was his guest, but the guards didn't listen to an order of the Amyrlin Seat. Only King Galldrian had the power to open the gates after dark.
While they rode through the almost empty streets of Cairhien, Moiraine's grip on her reins became tighter by the minute. The Sun Palace wasn't a place she liked to return to. Her stomach twisted painfully, and she felt sick. Light, she wished they could turn around! Maybe she should've taken Lan's offer to run away with him.
Once they reached the inner courtyard of the Sun Palace, Moiraine felt like she needed to vomit. Nothing had changed. The enormous building was as beautiful as ever, and the walls spoke of Moiraine's childhood memories. All those high ladies and lords paying the Damodred family a visit or asking for the king's blessing. Moiraine remembered countless balls where she had worn beautiful dresses and danced with strangers all night. And then there had been Dae's Damar – the Game of Houses. All those people talking and listening while analyzing every spoken word. The countless murder attempts through poisoning – and sometimes a brave one had even tried to actually use a dagger.
Yet, the worst had been her family. Her uncles had been cruel – especially Laman. In the beginning, he had barely acknowledged Moiraine and her sisters. All his hopes had lied in the talented Taringail, who had been a true Damodred with a cruel personality and a natural talent at Dae's Damar. And then Laman had decided it wouldn't be enough to prep his brother's firstborn. His nieces needed to learn the same things.
In her early years, Moiraine had loved her uncle's sudden attention. He had given them countless gifts, bought them the prettiest dresses, and gave them lots of sweets. So, she hadn't cared when he had asked her to do something small – like putting a few drops of a special liquid into the tea of a guest. And when she felt sick after eating the sweets, she had thought it had been the result of eating too much of it – it took her years to understand her uncle poisoned her and her sisters.
Her father, Dalresin Damodred, had never tried to stop his brother. He had been a scholar and always in his study room. Moiraine didn't know how much he knew about Laman's doing or how his daughters felt.
She only went to her father to ask for advice and help once. It had been after Laman announced he would marry her to an heir of a royal family. Since Taringail had already been married to the daughter-heir of Andor, her uncle wanted another city under his influence. He had already given up on Anvaere and Innloine to pass as good rulers. But with Moiraine, he had seen the possibility to rule over another city.
But Dalresin disappointed Moiraine. Instead of helping her and standing up against his brother, he had announced he couldn't help her. Her father had never been made to be brave. He felt safest around his books.
It had been that night when Moiraine had discovered she could channel. For the first time in her life, she had felt relieved – relieved to escape from that miserable life of hers and her family.
At first, Laman had been furious with her for destroying his marriage plans. But then he had probably realized the value of having a Damodred Aes Sedai because suddenly, he had given her instructions about what he expected of her once she reached the White Tower. Moiraine had felt sick.
The doors of the palace opened, pulling the woman of the Blue Ajah out of her thoughts. Carefully, she dismounted Aldieb, then let her eyes wander over the countless windows. There was her father with a book in his hands, reading like he always had. Then, he lifted his head and smiled when he saw her.
Taringail stood behind another window. Then there were her uncles and, of course, Laman – all watching her, waiting for her to come home.
Suddenly, an arm moved around her waist, and someone stepped before her. "Get back on Aldieb's back!" An angry voice hissed. "Now!" Lan!
Finally, Moiraine realized she had trouble breathing. Her heart beat so fast, she felt like it would explode any minute, and she was trembling. Light, she had one hell of a panic attack!
Gently yet determined, Lan pushed her backward, out of sight beside Aldieb. The Cairhien woman grabbed his strong arms tight. She needed to feel him – needed to pull herself out of that panic attack. But then, the Malkieri grabbed her hips like he wanted to lift her on Aldieb's back!
"No!" Her voice didn't sound right, and she dug her fingernails into Lan's flesh.
"I won't let you go inside!"
"I have to."
"Moiraine!"
Trembling, the Aes Sedai stepped closer, leaning her forehead against his chest and inhaling his unique scent. Lan had always been able to help her with her fears and panic attacks. His presence seemed to keep her grounded.
Stiff, the Warder allowed the Aes Sedai to grab his tunic, giving her time to calm down, though his hands never let go of her hips. Moiraine didn't want to know how many escape plans he already planned.
When they heard footsteps, Moiraine took one last deep breath, then lifted her head and pulled her calm Aes Sedai mask in place. It was way more challenging this time than usual. Lan grimaced when he saw what she was doing.
"Lady Moiraine Damodred."
The Cairhien woman looked at the man who had addressed her. Galldrian Riatin, king of Cairhien. She knew him since childhood but hadn't seen him since she went to Tar Valon. He had aged over the years, and she saw a few grey strands in his black hair.
"Your Highness." Politely, Moiraine tilted her head. Then her cold eyes found his again. "And it's Moiraine Sedai." She made sure he saw the golden serpent ring on her finger.
Galldrian's eyes narrowed at the jewelry, then his fake smile was back. "Of course." Before the Aes Sedai could react, the king of Cairhien grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the ring. "Forgive me… Moiraine Sedai."
Their eyes met, and Moiraine saw the hate in his eyes. She would always be a Damodred to him. And then the king pressed his lips on the back of her hand. He watched her reaction in amusement while Moiraine did her best to stay calm.
Lan growled in her back, and she felt him moving – no doubt to place himself between her and Galldrian. Moiraine caught his hand behind her back and squeezed it, warning him not to cross the line. This was Galldrian's playground, even though the Amyrlin had called for them.
Surprised, the king of Cairhien raised an eyebrow at the man he had provoked with his action. "Who is your protective friend, Moiraine Sedai? If you don't mind my asking."
Quickly, Moiraine freed her hand from Galldrian's grip, who didn't even notice. His attention lay on Lan's grim face. The Aes Sedai ensured to hold on to her Warder's hand, yet didn't want the king to see it.
"This is my Warder Lan Gaidin, Your Highness."
Fascinated, the Cairhien man let his eyes move over Lan, then stepped before him. Moiraine fought against the urge to step before her Warder to shield him from this man. "Lan." It sounded like the king tasted the word on his tongue. "That's an interesting name for a Malkieri."
When he got no response, Galldrian tapped his cheek, pretending to think about his words. Moiraine had no doubt he already knew what he wanted to say. "I've heard about a Malkieri named Lan, but that was years ago. He fought in the Aiel war, and the people said he was a blade master." The hilt of Lan's sword on his back was clearly visible. "The last Lord of the Seven Towers. The uncrowned king of Malkier, al'Lan Mandragoran."
This time, it was way harder to fight down the urge to protect Lan. The Cairhien man was many things, but obviously not stupid. Her amazing Warder squeezed her hand since she still hadn't let go of him. He knew, even without the bond, how she reacted in certain situations, and that was a warning not to give in to the king's attempt.
Galldrian smiled slightly, letting his words sink before he stepped back. "I'm sure it's only a coincidence that you wear the same name as the uncrowned king of Malkier. Isn't it?"
Not even a muscle moved on Lan's face. Calmy, yet with hate in his eyes, he endured the king's words.
Chuckling, Galldrian turned to Moiraine. "He isn't much of a talker, isn't he?"
"He is not."
The king's eyes moved over Moiraine now. "You look pale, Moiraine Sedai. Don't you feel well?"
Why couldn't that man stop asking questions? It was late, and she still felt sick. "It was a long ride. I assume there is no one who would feel well afterward."
"Of course, how insensitive of me. You probably would like to rest. My servants prepared a room for you and your Warder. They will show you to it while the stableboys take care of your horses. Please, come inside."
The Aes Sedai and the Warder watched the king leave, aiming for the entrance of the palace, then Lan stepped before Moiraine. Their hands were still connected. "I don't like him."
Moiraine smoothed non-existing wrinkles out of his tunic, her eyes locked on his chest. "No one said we need to like him. But he is the king of Cairhien. We need to be careful around him."
Lan placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face up. His worries were written all over his face. "Please," he begged softly. "Let us get out of here. This place isn't good for you. These people aren't good for you."
But the Cairhien woman shook her head. "I can't. Siuan sent for me. I have to obey."
Growling, the Malkieri nodded. "I hope you remind her how dangerous Cairhien is for you." The stableboys appeared, and Lan said with a sigh, "I'll get our bags."
The man made one step back, then was pulled back by his Aes Sedai, who grabbed his tunic. "Please, don't leave me alone in there." Moiraine was scared about what would await her behind the doors.
Lan's free arm moved around her waist and pulled her against him, leaning his forehead against hers. Their lips were almost touching. "Never."
The next chapter will be uploaded on Sunday.
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