Amadine 14, 998 NE (June 21st)

My father was holding a fence post with a large, tall man with tanned limbs like tree trunks, who stood shirtless with broad, muscled shoulders, lifting a hammer high over his head, when the door opened. The hammer dropped immediately, and the man took a defensive position. The blacksmith, Master Luhhan? I guessed. Fence posts were visible, some lying in a pile and others already having been put into the ground, and the beginnings of a gate stood half-built. Suddenly, a rather wide man with sparse gray hair and a round face stepped into view, shock and hope on his face.

"Egwene? Are you in there Egwene?"

I groaned. This must be the Mayor, and Egwene's father, Brandelwyn al'Vere. And of course my father did not keep quiet. Moiraine won't be pleased.

The large man, arms roped with muscles, called out as well. "Perrin, boy? You in there?" I was right. Master Luhhan.

"It appears your father did not keep it a secret," Moiraine said cooly, stepping out of the Dome this time. She felt frustrated, and resigned in equal measure, but looked as calm as could be, not even a hint of storm clouds in her eyes. Sorry, Moiraine, but not everyone adheres to your plans and whims.

Placatingly, I told her, "I'll talk with them, let them know that this is a visit to just my father, and try to get them moving."

Moiraine nodded once, and peered through the Door at the men, a forced calm spreading through the bond. Min spoke up, "Not that I don't mind meeting your friend's fathers, but I'd rather not be there while you disappoint them." She said and gave me a sheepish grin.

I sighed as my two wives easily let me take the burden onto my shoulders. "Feel free to join me at any time," I said, sarcastically.

The men had been growing more and more worried while no one had exited the strange black Door with its glowing silver edge, and I startled them as I quickly stepped out alone. Master al'Vere took a few steps back, not seeming to recognize me for a moment, and I saw Master Luhhan tighten his grip. My father smiled, broadly, putting a calming hand on Master Luhhan's shoulder.

I took a deep breath and spoke with a smile. "I have come back, like I said I would, but I seem to have interrupted a little project. Building a fence to keep wandering folks out?"

"Oh, oh my, Rand al'Thor, is that you? I had thought a young lord stepped out of this black door in the air," said Master al'Vere, approaching me with wide arms and taking me into a warm hug. I knew the man not, but he was the father of my first wife, and my father-in-law even if he did not know it yet. As he squeezed me tight, I suddenly realized I would have to tell this man I married his daughter, without his permission nor in any ceremony, and I stiffened, resolving to not address it unless it came up. No sense in laying my head on the chopping block. I released him and stepped back.

"Master al'Vere, it is good to see you!" I said with faked enthusiasm. I had no idea who the man really was, but from Egwene's stories, and at first blush, he seemed a kind and boisterous sort. "It feels like forever since I've seen you. Unfortunately, Egwene is not with me, but she was well when I last saw her. She has started her training in the White Tower, as one of the most powerful young women they have ever found. She will be a great Aes Sedai one day, I know it, but she cannot come visit you this way just yet."

Bran's face fell. "I had hoped… since Tam had told me… but it seems the Pattern has other plans." Then he scrutinized me carefully, voice suddenly less friendly. "And you are fine with this, for your betrothed to become an Aes Sedai? Many men would consider the betrothal broken, or the woman a witch and beyond matrimony."

"We have a plan. I will be her Warder when she is raised to the shawl, and becomes a Sister of the White Tower," I said, confidently. "An Aes Sedai and her Warder share a bond that is as close as husband and wife, if not closer. I will not betray her, nor abandon her. I love Egwene."

"Mmm. And how, exactly, is a shepherd who ran away from home supposed to become the Warder of my little girl? They are legendary warriors, that require years of specialized training." Bran's voice was curious, and a little contemptuous, and his eyes flashed with a bit of heat.

My father spoke before I could. "Enough with the interrogation, Bran, I'd like to be able hug my son as well. And you well know I told you that Warder was training Rand. If anyone can teach someone to become a Warder on the road, it will be a Borderlands Warder. Everyone knows soldiers of the Borderlands chew iron and spit out nails, and what is a Warder but the greatest soldier of them all."

Bran backed off, arms raised in defeat, giving the Door a longing stare, before peering back at me, taking in my clothing, a red coat with spiraling golden dragons, and nice black pants embroidered with red thorns. I must have looked strange.

"I'm guessing Perrin is not behind that strange door as well?" Master Luhhan asked quietly, sounding resigned. I shook my head. "Just as well, I did not wish to speak with the curly haired buffoon quite yet. Of all the knuckle-brained things for him to do, running off with an Aes Sedai," Haral Luhhan grumbled, finally setting his hammer down.

My father stepped forward to give me a tight hug that I returned with gusto, and then he stepped back to look me over.

There was a sad smile on his face, and I could see the age in his eyes. "I did not say so before, but your Aes Sedai has really changed you, Rand. You look like a man. A different man than I thought you'd grow up to be, but a man. A nice coat, the silk shirt and fine linen pants, the gold-threaded embroidery, your long hair tied back, even the way you hold yourself, looser but more assured. It is different, more different than I could have ever expected, but I find I like it. The sword fits you even more now. You've had to use it, haven't you?"

I felt strange from my father's words. I had changed this much in just a month and a week and I would change much more in the months and years to come. Hell, I had apparently changed enough in the week between visits that my father felt he should mention it. Yet all I could see to do was move forward and embrace it. I could never be the old Rand again, nor was I sure I wanted to be. The old Rand would have never fallen for an Aes Sedai. The old Rand would never have studied channeling. He would have run far far away from the storybook tale that was my life, the madness and the wonder. He thought it would end with the Eye of the World. I knew better.

"I have," is what I say though, "three times now." That causes Tam to give me another once over. "I am fine, da. No wounds. But that is not why I am here, I wanted to you to meet Moiraine Sedai again. We dealt with the issues I had talked about last time and it is time for you two to meet. Plus I wanted to get off the boat and stretch my legs." I did not want to mention Min or the wives in front of the other two men.

My father nodded and a light of understanding went through his eyes, as his smile grew wider and happier, softening his face. "Ah, yes. I had hoped things would resolve themselves. Bran, Haral, can you let me meet with Moiraine Sedai and Rand alone today? We'll arrange another time for you all and Abell to get up here and see your boys. That would work, right Rand?"

I nodded, not seeing an issue giving Mat and Perrin a chance to see family and friends. "I believe I can convince Moiraine Sedai to let Mat and Perrin visit the Two Rivers."

The men left soon after that, taking heart in my claim, and taking some tools with them. Moiraine stepped out of the Door as soon as they were no longer visible, followed by Min, who examined the clearing curiously. Moiraine approached my father, looking radiant in the blue silk dress with embroidered silver-thread scholar's lilies. She must have had it made after the tattoo revealed itself, I thought absently, with a smile.

"Hello again, Tam al'Thor. You look well for someone who took a Myrddraal's blade three months ago. You do remember me, yes? I am Moiraine al'Thor, your son's second wife, and an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah," she said, her nervousness warbling in the back of my mind, incongruous with the calm and lovely woman in front of me.

Tam laughed, and gave her a big smile. "Of course I remember the beautiful woman that convinced my son to run off," he teased. At least, I think he did. "I may be older, but I'm not that old. It is good to see you again, and I must thank you for saving my life back then. You decided to take our last name? It will be good to have women in the family again, between you and Egwene."

Moiraine let herself flush, and smiled. "Yes, I honestly do not like my last name, for it has only caused me trouble and pain. Taking your son's name was a relief, a balm to my heart. And there are certain people I cannot wait to see the reactions of."

Tam nodded, a serious look on his face. "Mmm. I can understand not liking your family. There was a reason I left the Two Rivers, but that's a tale for another time. Tell me, who is the striking young woman beside you?"

"This young lady beside me in Elmindra 'Min' Farshaw, your son's third wife, most recently of Baerlon. We are pleased to meet you, father-in-law." And then Moiraine gave a deep curtsy. Min paused, then bowed, right forearm in front of her waist, and her left arm angled behind her.

"Please, call me Min, father-in-law, everyone else does," Min said with a cheeky smile, though tossing Moiraine a look of annoyance.

"It's nice to meet you Min." Tam turned to me and laughed, a deep joyful sound. "You got yourself an Andoran girl, good. Your mother came from a good merchant's family in Caemlyn. She'd get into a tizzy about you following her footsteps, and marrying a girl from a small mining town like Baerlon, though her mother would have fainted. They hated she married a Two Rivers man, absolutely hated me, the fools."

Min's grin grew wider. "Your son here doesn't have just one good Andoran girl," she said, mischief creeping into the bond. "He has two. The Daughter-Heir of Andor, Elayne Trakand is the other." Then she laughed as I glowered at her.

My father looked surprised but laughed too. "That is a good one. I could almost believe it, if it was not so ridiculous. Next you'll be telling me he's getting an Aiel or a Seafolk wife." Min laughed even harder at that, bending over with her hands on her knees and Moiraine sighed.

I stiffened. This could be an opening to talk with my father about being Aiel. But was it a good time? No, I'll wait, I thought.

Min wiped her eyes. "That does seem ridiculous, but that's the exact description of Rand's last three wives!" She let out a throaty chuckle. "You nailed it, Master al'Thor. The Daughter-Heir, an Aiel woman, and a woman with the dark skin the Seafolk are said to have."

My father looked baffled. "I… I was joking… wait, how would you even know this?"

I explained. "She can see the future sometimes, da. She sees who I will end of marrying, amongst other things. She sees all sorts of things, and they always come true."

Tam had a strange look on his face. "So you actually will marry an Aiel—"

I interrupted, not wanting to have any revelations in a forest clearing when there was a perfectly good couch to lounge on. "Yes, I will actually have to marry an Aiel woman. Lets move inside the house, there's a lot to talk about and I'd rather be comfortable."

We walked through the forest and tabac fields, Moiraine's hand held mine, while my father spoke to Min.

"So, you can see every wife that Rand will have? Care to tell me what my future daughters-in-law look like?" Tam asked.

"Well, you know Egwene, Moiraine and I, but there is also Elayne, a beautiful young woman with a heartshaped face, and golden hair tinted red, and blue eyes like sapphires. There is the Aiel woman, tall and muscled with her red hair cut short similar to mine, but more martial, and hard blue-green eyes. The last is a slim, boyish young woman with dark skin like a Seafolk, a heartshaped face with dark brown eyes and full lips, with a shaven head. Those are who I see."

"And it isn't a joke? You're not playing with me?"

"I don't lie about what I see," Min said, a little offended.

"What do you see around me, then?" asked Tam, curious.

Min grimaced. "It's not always the best thing to know. These things cannot be changed, not unless something nearly impossible happens. I've only ever seen one future change completely, and it is your son's. But he's the bloody Dragon Reborn, pardon my language."

He still wanted to know, so she told him. "Three golden plumes on a helmet and a sword, a blacksmith beating plowshares into swords, a wreath of roses around your neck, and the moon over your shoulder, and finally you black coat with a sword and dragon pin."

My father considered the words as we finished walking through the field of tabac, and made our way inside the farmhouse. "I have absolutely no idea what any of those but the first means. Apparently, I am to be First Captain of the Companions. Which would mean I'm leaving the Two Rivers for Illian, some day."

"Illian is our goal for the moment," Moiraine said casually, "Soon enough, they will crown your son King of Illian." I blinked. That's certainly a way to tell him the news.

My father barked a laugh as he moved into the kitchen to gather a platter with cups and a kettle, to make tea over the fire. Moiraine followed him while we moved on to the living room. "Light, the things your wives say, Rand. And you expect me to believe Mattin Stepaneos would simply give up the throne to my son? Even if he remembers the al'Thor name, its been nearly twenty years and royalty is notoriously fickle-minded. Who knows what he thinks of me now?"

I could hear the satisfied smile on Moiraine's lips. "That is why it is fortunate that we rely not on nostalgia for the former Second Captain of the Companions, but instead the notoriety of Rand having found and rescued the Horn of Valere. They will crown anyone who delivers the Horn to them, even a Forsaken or the Dark One himself. A shapeshifter will be much more palatable, even if he is married to an Aes Sedai. Illian is not Tear."

Min, not having heard of this yet—since telling her, 'Hey, I'm about to become King because my wife said I should', isn't exactly the best way to break the news—listened in closely as I directed her over to the couch, sitting in the middle. I felt a chill and joined Moiraine in a circle, feeling the honeysweet life and power of saidin flowing through my veins, and I could not help relaxing deeper into the couch and putting an arm around Min. She stiffened and gave me a curious look I returned with a beaming smile, and relaxed into it. Soon enough my father exited the kitchen followed by Moiraine who carried the platter on yellow Air, as she did the kettle, which was steaming from a thin coil of Fire as it floated. If only I had such fine control, I thought enviously. I'd probably cause the kettle to explode.

"And when they learn he is the Dragon Reborn? A man who can channel?" my father asked bluntly, as he settled into his chair, and the platter with mugs settled on the table, followed by the kettle. "What will your plan be then?"

Moiraine took her place beside me, settling into my side. She gave my father a brief smile and spoke while she poured everyone tea. "Why, then they'll be under a King who is a shapeshifter, those blessed by the Creator to fight the Shadow, and who is the Dragon Reborn, a man who is probably the most powerful channeler alive right now. As the Last Battle stirs, they'll be able to rest easy knowing their nation is the heart of the Dragon's new kingdom. With the Horn as the fishhook, Illian will not even deign to shake us loose, and then its simply defending ourselves from other nations, and the White Tower, while Rand proves he is who he claims to be with Tear."

Tam sat back in his chair and considered what she said, while both me and Min stared aghast.

Min spoke up. "Why would we have to defend ourselves from the White Tower? Aren't you an Aes Sedai?"

I protested as well, "I spoke with the Amyrlin,I bowed and scraped and took her orders, and you still think we'll have to fight?"

"Merely while there is a question of who you are, Rand," Moiraine placated, placing a cool hand on my knee. "The Tower is turbulent right now, and the Amyrlin's position is precarious. She may have no choice but to act offensively to keep her Seat. Or Ajah's could act independently, specifically the Reds and maybe the Greens. It really is quite a tricky situation Siuan is in. It would be best to not expect more support from the White Tower than I."

"You spoke with the Amyrlin Seat?" My father sounded astounded, and I nodded. "Light burn me for doubting still, you really are the Dragon Reborn." He shook his head. "I knew it, I had to believe, but if the Amyrlin Seat let you, a man who can channel, speak with her and leave untouched, that's... that's real. And she gave you orders? What kind of thing did she think to order a shepherd who barely knows how to channel do?"

I laughed, ignoring the hurt. I was neither a shepherd anymore, nor did I barely know how to channel. "Right? It's ridiculous. After I take over Illian as King, I'm supposed to go to Toman Head and figure out why people keep claiming Artur Hawkwing's Empire has returned, see if it is true, or a plot of the Shadow and announce myself there as Dragon Reborn, regardless of whatever I find."

"Seems like something you'll need an army for. Toman Head is not small, bigger than the Two Rivers, and more populated." He paused, a look of realization settling onto his face. "So that must be what Illian is for, the Companions as core of Rand's army, and a victory over the Shadow, or an invader from across the sea, to cement his kingship."

"You are a discerning man, Tam al'Thor. With the Companions by his side, Rand should be safe enough to scout out Toman Head and determine who exactly is invading. And when he proclaims himself, the aftershocks of such an announcement will reverberate through the Westlands, and thousands shall flock to his banner, as they do each time a False Dragon proclaims himself. Returning triumphant, with the Companions and any Tomani who comes with him, proclaiming his true nature as the Dragon Reborn and a military win will, as you said, cement his kingship in the hearts of Illianers near and far."

"And what plans do you have for my son after that." Tam's voice was flat, and his stare hard. I made to speak up, but Moiraine put a hand over mine.

"Dozens. A rapid conquering of Tarabon, followed by an invasion of Amadicia, wiping out the so-called Children of Light once and for all. A conquering of Arad Doman, followed by the diplomatic talks with Saldea, as Shienar has proclaimed Rand Lord Drake, chinnar'veren. That holds weight in the Borderlands, as does him being the Dragon Reborn. Only in the Borderlands is the Karatheon Cycle read on cold winter nights, to remind people what is to come, the glory and the destruction. The annexation of the Saldea, and other Borderlander kingdoms into Rand's nascent kingdom could be done by the start of next spring if we move quickly enough. Or Rand could invade Tear, take the Stone and seize the Sword That Is Not A Sword, and be acknowledged as the true Dragon Reborn by every right-thinking Tairen and Aes Sedai, and any who've read the Prophecies. There are many paths for Rand to choose and take, but I will not know which until Toman Head is finished."

As she spoke my father's face grew more and more lined with worry. "You want him to be the next Artur Hawkwing. You want the Dragon Reborn to bring war and destruction. You want my boy to fight."

Fervent conviction filled her voice, and the bond. "I want him to be greater, Tam. War and destruction is already coming. The Last Battle looms over us, False Dragons grow more and more numerous and destructive, shadowspawn gather in the Blight, Darkfriends pop up like mushrooms after a hard rain. The end of the Age is coming, Tam, and only Rand can guide us through to an Age of Light."

Min sat quiet with worry, glancing between Moiraine and my father. I was silent, feeling like a child with two adults arguing over me, my annoyance and frustration growing.

"I've been through war, I've seen what it is really like. I've fought Whitecloaks and Tairens and Aiel. I did not wish that for my son, all I wanted for him was a safe and happy life, with a good wife. And then you came here and everything changed. I owe you my life, and my son's life, but I cannot help hating you, Moiraine Sedai, for the pain and suffering you'll—"

I stood up angrily. "Hey that's too much. Too far. It was not her fault things changed, it is not her fault war will come, and she saved us, saved the village. I would be dead or worse, twisted by the Shadow. Hate the Dark One, hate the Trollocs, hate Padan Fain, hate the kings and queens who will deny and defy me, the lords and ladies who will rebel and renounce me, but don't hate Moiraine."

Moiraine felt of pleased and a sense of contentment over all, as she also stood, and gently pushed me back onto the couch, before sitting beside me once more. "It is fine, Rand. I expected worse, to be quite honest. A little hate is nothing to an Aes Sedai. I do appreciate my husband coming to my defense though."

"It's not fine, you're my wife," I did not whine.

A smile came over Tam's face at our antics, washing away the hardness and the worry. His sigh was bittersweet. "That is why I can only hate you a little, I see my son is very taken with you, for better and worse. I am glad you two made up. The only thing worse than Rand mooning over a girl is Rand moping over a girl. Always used to be Egwene, but I could tell last time he visited, he was quite upset and it wasn't with her."

I flushed. "Da! Maybe don't hate her at all? I've forgiven her, and I had much greater reason."

"Give me time. But Min, I'm so sorry I've been ignoring you. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Min spoke for the next half hour about Baerlon, and funny fates she'd seen and the antics of her three aunts, having us all laughing and the mood improved, until there was a lull in conversation and I took advantage. I just have to ask, he won't lie, I told myself.

I sat up straighter and said, "Da, there's a question I wanted to ask."

He gave me a careful look, a little worry visible in his eyes. "You can ask me anything, son. Anything," he said, seriously.

"Was my mother Aiel?"

There was a long moment of stillness before Tam slowly nodded and said, "Your birth mother was, but the mother that raised you, Kari, was not. It was just luck that your hair matched. Our miracle baby, she called you."

"You found me on Dragonmount," I stated, more certain now. I needed to know though.

His eyes seem to gaze past me, looking on another time, as he nodded. "It was early morning, the sun barely above the horizon and it should have been bitter cold, but fighting keeps the blood warm, and the heat of battle lingered over the corpses of those Aiel women. They fight, you know? They call themselves Maidens of the Spear, and fight like wolves. Nasty and full of tricks. I guess one of them was pregnant, because there you were, all swaddled up in a torn cloak, turning blue with the cold, crying your head off. I saved you, and you became our miracle baby. Kari had lost two children, a boy and a girl, before I found you, and we thought…" He trailed off, a tear in his eye and a crooked smile on his face. "Our miracle baby. I didn't know how true that was, it seemed."

"Oh," was all I could say. I truly was Aiel. My father and mother weren't my birth parents. I didn't feel any grand revelation nor did I feel secure in the knowledge, instead I simply felt a sudden distance between myself and my father that I needed to bridge. Only a little desperately I said, "You are still my father."

His smile became less crooked. "I know," he said simply. Then he slapped his knees and shook his head, before wiping a few more tears away. "I know. You don't need to assuage an old man like me. But tell me about yourself, Rand. Tell me how you've been since I last saw you. What happened that made you need to return so quickly?"

"Well," and I told him. I told him of returning to the clearing and finding a Myrddraal waiting with a fist of Trollocs and dozens of Darkfriends. Of dueling and winning, and leaving Fal Dara the next day. Of our second and third ambushes by shadowspawn, and my successes on the battlefield. "If you like we can go outside and I can demonstrate? Moiraine thought it might be something you'd be interested in?"

"And it is safe for you, to channel the One Power? You won't go mad, right?" Tam asked worriedly.

"As long as I am in the so'shan, then I face no danger at all, and even as just a man the Taint is removed from me by shapechanging."

Tam thought for a moment, then nodded. "As long as you don't burn the house or barn down, I'm… I'm willing to watch your work with the One Power. It will be a sight to see. I've only rarely seen an Aes Sedai, and never as they channeled."

So we tramped outside, Moiraine in the lead, and I transformed, pulling on the energy beneath my skin.

"This is the shoshan?" asked Tam.

"So'shan," I corrected. "It means Lord Form in the Old Tongue. So'shan would lead the armies of the Light against the Shadow, in the War of Power, and in the centuries after the Breaking. I am a dragon so'shan, though we claim I am a drake, a made-up Sharan snake-lion."

"I see," my father said, still somewhat confused.

We set up in an empty field that Moiraine clear-cut of weeds and grass, leaving me a wide space of dirt to work the One Power in without worry of causing a fire. It was a warm summer day, and I took a deep breath, preparing myself to work the One Power once more. I burned every emotion, every thought, every little niggling fear and worry, until my mind was a smooth and unruffled as a winter pond on the new moon. The Oneness enveloped me, as I seized saidin, unleashing a torrent of life and power into my veins.

First, I wove a dozen torchlights in a dozen colors and danced them in a simple circle around me, then I wove Spirit Swords that spun lazily around my waist until it looked like I was the pistil of a ghost flower. Three bolts of Fire flew, before I destabilized the weave so they exploded in the air like fireworks, then I did the same with bolts of Air, and Water and Earth, thunderclaps and the sound of stone shattering filling the air. With wave of my hands a gust of wind scattered the shrapnel far away, landing and damaging no one, then with my right hand I wove a Flaming Hand, and with my left I wove a Shocking Grasp, spraying fire and lightning to shouts of awe and alarm. Taking a moment, I left those weaves fade and wove a Gentle Feather around me. Then I resumed as I leapt into the sky, clearing almost ten feet and doing a backflip, all while I shot fire and lightning from my hands. Then the weaves were unwoven, the lights and the Spirit Swords finally fading and I stood, breathing hard from the exertion of weaving three dozen different threads of saidin while moving.

Min and Moiraine clapped enthusiastically, while my father stood gaping, as I bowed in the Warder fashion.

"Light… I knew you could channel, but I thought it would be simple things, like a light or a flame, or the wind. That was astounding Rand! Better than any circus I'd ever seen in Illian. I can see why you beat back those ambushes, even against fists of Trollocs. I would be terrified to fight on the opposite side of you. I cannot believe your flames did not burn you!" my father gushed, the words pouring out of him.

"Flows of Fire and other Elements cannot harm their wielder, Tam, he was perfectly safe," Moiraine informed him soothingly.

"That was amazing, Rand. Really, I had no idea you were so far along," said Min earnestly, with a hint of envy in the bond.

"I have a good teacher. A really good one," I said with a smile, glancing at Moiraine, before making my way over to her. I was filled with saidin, filled with life, and my joy from channeling once more overrode any embarrassment or shyness I might have had, as I bent down and took Moiraine's lips. She protested only for a moment, weakly beating at my chest before she gave up and kissed me back. We stood there for a long moment, sinking into each other and the world faded away.

My father's cough brought me back to reality, where a smoky-eyed Moiraine reluctantly wiggled out of my grasp, took a deep breath, and pushed me away. "That was… Not appropriate Rand," she said cooly, but faintly sheepish. She wasn't mad though, so I paid it little mind.

Tam laughed. "It may not have been something I'd recommend you'd do in the Green, but its hardly inappropriate. I'm glad you two are getting along, that is important in a marriage. It is not every day a man has his son claim he married an Aes Sedai. It warms my heart to see you return his affections so easily."

Min laughed then. "You'd think she'd be all cool and collected, even in with her affections, but you'd be quite wrong."

Moiraine did not allow herself to flush, but embarrassment was bright and glaring in the bond. Somehow a dozen servants gossiping about it meant nothing, yet the second Min starts teasing her in front of my father... "I believe that is enough discussing my heart, which I would like to remind everyone, is a private matter."

"Except when you start acting on it in public," Min retorted, sticking her tongue out, earning a gaze of playful, though half-serious, anger from Moiraine.

"She's got you there, Moiraine Sedai," my father said, chuckling.

I changed the subject, before Moiraine actually got upset. "How about I test some weaves I wouldn't be able to test aboard the ship? There were a few that seemed dangerous, or required being used on another." I asked Moiraine, pulling her from the staring contest she had entered with Min.

"Call me Moiraine, Tam. And yes Rand, let us test the ones that require another with myself. The dangerous ones can wait."

"Is that safe, to for him to test a… a weave on you?" Tam asked, forehead wrinkled in consternation.

"Not at all," Moiraine replied, easily, "But Rand seems to learn weaves nigh-instantaneously on seeing them, and even if he is thick-fingered and fumbling with the weave, he always makes it successfully. Whatever is supposed to happen, will happen. I can trust that with him, and if he says they don't seem dangerous, then they aren't." Still, she felt somewhat worried.

"Min, da, if you'll step back a few paces, I'm going to start." They backed away swiftly, Min looking as worried as Moiraine felt.

I wove a thin cord of Spirit and Air, that connected my head with Moiraine's head. I just knew that was how the weave was supposed to go. I wonder what this does? I thought as I made to speak. It was something about communication, I could tell that.

"I don't know," Moiraine answered, audibly.

"You don't know what?" I asked carefully.

"You told me you wondered what the weave does, and I answered," she said slowly, as if I were an idiot.

I ignored it and wove the thin cord of Spirit and Air once more. Moiraine is my beautiful Aes Sedai wife whom I cherish, I thought, and Moiraine smiled in response, spots of color briefly appearing on her cheeks, then frowned.

"Your mouth did not move. How did you speak without your mouth moving?"

"My mouth indeed didn't move! Isn't that something? I believe we will call this one simply Message. The Message weave appears to send thoughts as messages to someone. The only problem is it requires you to be able to see the receiver, so no sending Messages to Egwene."

"What an insidious little weave, I can imagine all sorts of trouble it could cause in the White Tower. Gossipers would have a field day with it, as would bullies. I can imagine Brown Sisters who lose their voices because they only speak through messages. Once it got out to Accepted and Novices it would be used constantly once they learned how. The only boon will be that it is at least visible to those watching." She sighed. "Let us try the next."

This time I approached Moiraine. "I need to touch you for this one, may I please touch your chest?"

Amusement trilled in the bond and a coy smile appeared on Min's face, her eyes mischievous. "Usually you only ask at night, but in front of your father? Tsk tsk, Rand. Seems you're getting bold."

I flushed, especially after Moiraine giggled, a beautiful sound that made my heart skip a beat. "Rand is quite polite about it, is he not?" That amusement fled, replaced by a sense of shame and leaving a serious face behind. "But enough of such talk. It truly is inappropriate in front of our father-in-law, Min. Yes Rand, you may lay a hand on my chest, once you have calmed yourself."

"Oh don't be such a spoilsport, Moiraine."

Moiraine sniffed, but ignored Min, who rolled her eyes and nudged my father, causing him to grin.

I pressed my hand on Moiraine chest and wove the seemingly endless cord of Spirit and Fire. I knew it would change something about her, something that would make her better. It sunk into her chest, after a long minute suddenly a bright blue glow enveloped her, almost forming a shell around her, before fading into her skin.

"I feel… warm, like there's a fire burning in my soul." Then Moiraine took a step back. "But I'm not sure what else this weave does."

"It took a lot of saidin, about a quarter of what I am holding right now, it must do something more than simply keep you warm," I said, confused.

"Well, I do feel particularly energized, like I could run. Is that something, oh wise male Aes Sedai?"

I ignored the sarcasm. "Perhaps its like the weave that restores stamina, but it acts on you for longer? I still can't make heads or tails what the weave is actually doing on a fundamental level, other than changing something about you, for the better."

"We can test it on Lan later, while you spar. Maybe that will reveal its full potential, if it truly is a weave made for intense exertions," Moiraine decided.

"Or we can test it on me," Tam said, a little unsure, but he bravely stepped forward. "I made some practice swords for when Rand came next, so I could test him, see where the Warder had gotten him to."

"Excellent," Moiraine said, clapping her hands, a smile on her face. "Yes, Rand would love to show you what he's learned," she offered for me. "Lan has been quite prolific with his praise. He called Rand a good beginner the other day." I was willing to do it, but I would have liked to make the decision myself, I thought, annoyed.

I used the strange new weave on my father, and for him it glowed red, but quickly faded just like Moiraine. He began to stretch and hop in place. "This is nice, Rand. I can feel old aches and pains going away. This is wonderful!" Back and forth he bent, stretching arms and legs. Since we were going to spar, I joined him, doing the stretches Lan taught me. Tam nodded approvingly.

Soon enough we both were ready, swords held in guard, facing each other. Moiraine embraced saidar, carving a circle into the grass. Once she finished my father moved, lunging for me. The clack-clack-clack of practice swords meeting filled the air as I defended myself from an onslaught of swings and stabs as my father pushed me back. We moved faster and faster with each swing, Tam's blows gaining the strength of a Warder's. I did not know he was this strong, came the thought skittering across the Void, before I squashed it. Such thoughts were no help.

"You're doing well, your footwork is sound, if basic, and you know your guards well" my father said, grinning. While he took a step back and swinging his sword casually, I lunged for his chest as Min cheered me on.

"Have to know your footing and guards when your teacher keeps ambushing you while you run." I grunted out as our swords met. Tam laughed, retreating towards the edge of the circle, blade held casually.

"Now you attack and I'll defend," he said with a smirk. "I want to see how well the Warder taught you."

It's like he thinks this is a lesson and not a true spar, came a thought unbidden that I squashed. Ego had no place on the battlefield, Lan always said. My father was far more skilled, even with twenty years of his skills rusting. I took a deep breath, centering myself, and unleashed a flurry of strikes and feints, our blades meeting in a furious staccato rhythm, until I managed to land a hit on his right forearm. Or I would have if a red glow had not appeared. My father only grunted, but did not pause, smoothly counter-attacking. I nearly bent over from the strong blow to my stomach, but I took another wild swing and this one connected as well, and once more a red glow appeared where my blade landed and my father did not react as if I had hit him. A toothy grin appeared on my father's face and he backed away once, moving fluidly out of my range.

"I think I figured out what this weave does, Rand, and it'll have your head spinning faster than a weathervane in a spring storm." He said, lazily hold his sword in third guard. "You really have some miracles hidden in that mind of yours. Give me another attack, a nice heavy swing. I want to test this."

There's only my blade and my opponent's blade. Nothing else matters. Lan's advice came unbidden, and I tightened my focus. Only my blade and my opponent's blade, nothing else. The cheers of Min and my father's comments faded to buzzing, and my vision seemed to narrow. Again I pressed the attack, wild chops and overhand swings, leaving myself open to retaliation, but my father did not take most opportunities, content to jaw on about something, a grin still on his face.

Once, twice, three times I landed a hit and nothing much seemed to happen but the red glow and a grunt, until on the fourth hit. It was a heavy diagonal swing at Tam that caught him on the shoulder, and the red glow appeared and then cracked like glass, dissipating into motes of red light. My father went spinning, the air knocked out of him, and fell to the ground. I paused, breathing heavily, as he slowly rose to his knees, the Oneness of the Void suddenly inundated with worry. Had I hit too hard? He is old, older than my friend's fathers, older than Lan and he doesn't have Lan's Warder nature to rely on a hit from my so'shan strength. Light, I should have shifted back! The sound of wheezing laughter broke my thoughts, and the Oneness shattered with my relief, though I still held saidin.

"Boy, now that was a swing," Tam said, as Moiraine helped him up, the prickling of goosebumps a sign she held saidar, probably to check the health of my father. Suddenly my father gasped, staring wide-eyed at Moiraine. "Light, what was that?" I let go of saidin, the world seeming to turn flat and colorless, compared to the beauty of life with the One Power, yet my wives still looked as lovely as ever. This was something I took solace in, pushing away the desire to hold saidin.

"You strained your sword arm, and the blow would have left a nasty bruise, but I fixed both. If you are done beating each other with sticks, we can discuss the weave? I found the sparring quite informative, personally."

What energy my father had seemed to have been drained out of him, as he took his time walking over to me, using the practice sword as a walking stick. "Burn me bloody, that was something else, Rand. The speeds at which we moved? The strength that we swung our swords? Your weave is a miracle, it was like I was twenty years younger and a Warder to boot. It improved me, in strength and speed, and defended me. I could feel the hits but it was like they were hitting armor rather than body. It's some kind of armor, your weave. Power Armor."

"Power Armor…" I repeated, before smiling. "I like it."

He stepped closer, pulling me into a hug. "And you, you fight like you've been training a year or two, still new, still sloppy, but the instinct is there, shining through. I would have trained you years ago, if I knew how well you'd take it. I'm sorry I did not prepare you," he said quietly into my ear, before releasing me and standing next to me, arm around my shoulder.

We stood next to each other for a long moment, watching the sun setting behind the Mountains of Mist, turning the sky a brilliant orange, as I did not know what to say, my mouth dry.

"Thank you for helping me test the weave, da, but you have nothing to be sorry for," I said finally. "I, however, am sorry to say it's about time we head back, if we don't want Ingtar stumbling over a Door. I'd rather not have to explain that yet."

After a round of hugs and goodbyes to each of my wives and me. Tam left us as we passed the farmhouse, and soon after, as we walked back to the clearing Moiraine slipped her hand into mine.

"That went far better than I expected," she murmured.

I smiled, as I raised my eyebrow at her and said, "I told you so."

She sniffed haughtily, and did not bother replying, but she felt filled with the soft warmth of comfort and contentment, tinged with fading relief, and only a peppering of annoyance, so I grinned harder.

Min slid on my other side, our hands inches from touching. "Your father is wild, Rand," she said with a grin, "And I had no idea you could move like that, sheepherder. I swear there were times you and him blurred, and the clacking of swords became a single roar of wood on wood. And the way he just shouldered through all those hits until the last one, that was a sight to see!" She paused, becoming a little uncomfortable. "That new weave of yours, and seeing what you've learned... I… Thank you for inviting me with you and Moiraine, Rand."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "Of course I invited you. My father was meeting my wives, you had to be there. He already met Egwene, of course, but he's known her all his life."

"Still, thank you, I appreciate it," she said earnestly.

Confused, I accepted the praise. Did Min think I wouldn't include her? I reached out and took her hand, lacing our fingers together. I felt a flurry of surprise and happiness and nervousness all mixed up together and squeezed. Min squeezed back, and we didn't let our hands go until I wove the Door.

On the way back Moiraine once more had me create the Dome, and the women retreated inside to continue Min's lesson, much to Min's dismay. I sat on the couch and practiced more with the airwall, crudely spelling my name with invisible walls of Air, a yellow scrawl in my vision. By the time we arrived back in the clearing, I had been able to hold four flows of Air to spell 'R A N D', though to Min I looked like a fool staring blindly into the air in concentration, with my tongue out.

The Door closed with nary a whisper, just thirty seconds before Ingtar and a group of Shienarans, alongside Perrin, came trooping into the clearing. We could hear them approaching, so Moiraine spent that brief time mussing my hair, and re-buttoning my jacket wrong, whispering quietly, "Look in a daze."

I adopted a silly smile, and a vacant look that had Ingtar swallowing laughter when he caught sight of me, and Perrin blushed profusely. I wanted to protest, that I wasn't such a lecher, but the wave of snickers and quiet murmuring amongst the soldiers, silenced by Ingtar's quick gaze over his shoulder, killed such words in my mouth. I let the smile fall away and my eyes became sharp as I looked on.

"I believe I asked you to return before the sun begins to set, Lord Drake," Ingtar said seriously, then smiled. "Ah, but young love does not keep time, does it? I hope you had an excellent… picnic, Rand," he finished with a knowing gaze at the three of us.

Min blushed at my side, her bond flooding with embarrassment, and even Moiraine felt some.

"It was refreshing," I said honestly. "Being stuck aboard a ship is not my idea of fun, but it is time we move, before the Shadow finds us once more."

"I cannot agree more, Rand."

We rode back in one of the boats, with soldiers manning the rowing, Moiraine snug against my side on the bench, before climbing up the rope ladder back onto the Seamaid's Kiss. A grinning Mat met my gaze and waggled his eyebrows, and I could not help my snort of amusement as I shook my head. Mat was incorrigible.

Soon enough we sat for dinner, and instead of sitting with Moiraine, or Perrin and Mat, I found Min sitting with Loial and joined them. Min looked a little startled, another flurry of surprise trumpeted in the bond, followed by a trill of simple happiness. I should have done this days ago. Breakfast with my friends, lunch with Moiraine, and dinner with Min and Loial.

"Hey, you two. Do you mind if I eat with you both?" They sat on the deck, with plates of salt beef, cheese, and a biscuit, with a clutch of fresh grapes, some already turning slightly brown.

"Of course Rand, we were just discussing your training with Lan. It seems today she wants to know all about how the Warder trained you. I did not watch much of your training, of course, but Perrin and Egwene both talked about it at times with me, so I know much of the details," Loial said brightly, his plate piled high with biscuits.

Min scowled at the Ogier, before turning to me with a sweet smile. "Of course you can eat with me, Rand. I am your wife." Then her face shifted to what must be mock annoyance, because she felt nothing but pleased. "Took you long enough to ask, though."

I set my plate down and bowed formally. "My deepest apologies for my transgression, Lady Min. As your loyal husband, I will attend to your side for as many dinners as I can, this I solemnly swear."

Min snorted. "My loyal husband, who has two other wives. And I'm not a lady, even though the soldiers have gotten the sailors to start the nonsense."

I released my bow and sat down next to Min, leaning against a crate. "If I am to be a lord, then all my wives shall be ladies. That's the simple truth, unfortunately for you. And since the Shienaran's are damn sure I am a lord, since Lord Agelmar proclaimed me such, it is something 'downcountry' folk like you and me will have to deal with."

Min pouted. "That isn't what I wished to hear, Lord Sheepherder. Can you not get them to stop?"

I laughed. "Good, you acknowledge my nobility," I said with mock aggrandizement, then took a bite of the chewy salt beef, chasing it with a bite of cheese.

"Oh yeah," Min said with sudden realization. "Why did you not tell me your Aes Sedai wife is setting you up to be king?! Am I going to be a queen soon?"

Loial looked confused. "King? Rand?" he asked in a low rumble, like a bumblebee the size of a dog.

I took another bite to eat, taking my time to chew it while I tried to think of a better answer than the one I had, but nothing came to me, so I told her. "Yes, Loial, Moiraine wants me to be a king. It sounds too crazy, and I've only known you for a couple days, Min. I didn't want you to think I was haughty, or taking on airs. The lord stuff is already tough enough, and I cannot imagine being king. Yet I must. We must, I suppose."

"You 'must'?" came Min's retort.

"The spirit told me it would happen, so when Moiraine brought it up I simply accepted it. If a spirit and an Aes Sedai ordain something will happen, why should I waste my energy on fighting it?" I asked rhetorically.

"You really must love Moiraine, if you let her drag you onto a throne that isn't even your, and let her Warder run you ragged for hours every day. Loial told me he made you run for three hours once, that he woke you up before dawn every day, and worked you to the bone. Makes a girl wonder."

"We have never used those words," was my answer, and I was sticking to it. I think I loved Moiraine, but it still felt too early to say those words, and she was to be my teacher besides, not a lover. Did she love me? I could not help wondering. I think she did, in her own way. She was certainly very fond of me, and fond of my body. She liked to complain about my height then clamber all over me with wandering hands that... I shook my head as my pants tightened involuntarily. Not a topic to be thinking about right now. "Lan Gaidin is a good teacher, and I have learned much from him. When the spirit refined my body, he made it much like a Warder's in constitution and stamina, but naturally, so he taught me with that in mind."

Min looked curious. "And you just took it, didn't protest or complain?"

I popped one of the mostly fresh grapes into my mouth, ignoring the ones with the largest brown stains, and shook my head. "No. Training from a Warder, from my wife's Warder to boot? How could I say no, and how could I live with myself if I didn't train as hard as possible, to make sure those I care about don't die? I need to defend six women, as their Warder appointed by the Creator and the Pattern of the Age. I have to be the best I can be. And really, exercise is a good time to simply…. not think about the future and anxieties. I needed that, those first days in Fal Dara. Still do sometimes."

Min shook her head, smiling softly at me. "You keep surprising me, Rand al'Thor. So you're my Warder, huh? After seeing your performance today, that gives me an honest peace of mind."

"Ah, so that is why you were asking," interjected Loial. "You saw our budding blademaster do his work. I presume he also showed off more… exotic techniques, let us say?" Ah, Loial meant channeling.

Min caught on. "Yes, those were… surprising. Startling."

"I have seen the results of such 'picnics', and I have no doubt they are quite affecting to witness. Perhaps I could join you next, Rand. For the book, you see. I've only seen women work with such… techniques, and that was only in the distance. I'm sure it is quite different for you, and I would love to get a first-hand account of what it is like, to… use such exotic techniques."

"That is fine, but I will have to ask Moiraine. I cannot imagine she would deny your request, though," I replied, content to relax with my new wife for the rest of the evening. As it would turn out, less than twenty four hours later Loial would have a chance to see me weave the One Power in the flesh, in defense of our lives.