Mandarb moved quickly through the forest. Lan never liked it to leave Moiraine's side, but this time he had no choice. The wisdom had admitted that she couldn't help Moiraine much longer. They needed another sister of the Aes Sedai.

It had been mere luck that he had found the tents of the Red Ajah so soon. Of course, the Red's weren't his first choice when he had to ask for help, but he couldn't be particular. Moiraine needed their help now, and not even a red sister would deny it to heal another Aes Sedai.

For what felt like the thousandth time today, the warder dove into his bond and searched for his Aes Sedai. Sometimes their connection was stronger, and then there were times when he was barely able to feel her. As if she was slowly drifting away from him. Whenever that happened, Lan's heart stopped for a second. Then he had to bring Mandarb to a halt, so he could send Moiraine his strength and love through the bond. She couldn't give up. His Aes Sedai was a fighter, and he would always remind her that she still had a reason to stay alive. To stay with him.

But right now, their bond was stronger. Unsettled, but strong. Whatever Nynaeve had done to her, it was helping. At least for the moment. Lan had to remind himself that he needed to thank Nynaeve. For helping his Aes Sedai and for staying with her.

Lan reached the two women and was surprised when he saw that Nynaeve was kneeling beside the dying woman. The young woman had a terrible temper and hated the Aes Sedai, but she couldn't walk away from a sick person, who was in need of her help. Nynaeve raised her head when she heard him arriving on Mandarb, and Lan thought that he saw relief in her eyes, but she covered it quickly by putting her mask back in place.

Even Moiraine seemed to react to his return. She moved her head in his direction. Even in her sleep, she knew exactly where he was. But there was more. Even the unsettling feeling, which had been moving inside her, disappeared suddenly and was replaced by joy, trust, and comfort.

A smile appeared on Lan's lips. Although Moiraine had been asleep when he had left her with Nynaeve, her subconsciousness had noticed his absence, and she had missed him. Now that she was feeling his presence close to her, she was relaxing again and felt safe. "I found what we're looking for. Can she ride?", he asked the wisdom.

The look on Nynaeve's face didn't give him much hope. She was desperate, but she answered: "The poultice will give her energy for a few hours, maybe more. But after that…"

Lan sighed heavily. This meant, that he would have only a few hours to get his Aes Sedai to the red sisters. It wasn't ideal, but he had to try. The warder focused on his bonded woman and sent her his love. `You need to wake up, Moiraine.´

As if she had heard his thoughts, the woman of the Blue Ajah opened her eyes fluttering. Quickly, Lan dismounted Mandarb, while Nynaeve left Moiraine's side to give him some room. Moiraine's eyes lit up when they fell on him, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

"You've left." Those few little words made her cough. She hadn't used her voice in a while, and although Lan had tried to make her gulp some tea, her throat was dry.

"Here." Nynaeve handed him his water bag. "Shall I make some tea?"

"No, we need to leave. You can put out the fire." Lan opened the water bag. Then he helped Moiraine to lift her head and placed the leather object on her lips. While she took small gulps, he explained: "I was searching for a sister, who can heal you."

Moiraine's eyes met his, while she was looking at his feelings through the bond. There was fear mixed with desperation. But there was also a glimpse of hope. "You found someone."

It wasn't a question. His Aes Sedai knew what he was capable of, and she was always trusting him to succeed. Lan nodded, then he tilted the water bag again so that she could take another gulp. Moiraine's hand on his arm made him lower the object again. "Who is it?"

"I found the tents of the Red Ajah. I don't know who will await us there, but someone will." Lan sealed the water bag and laid it on Moiraine's stomach. "Stay here. I will pack our stuff, and then we'll get you to those tents."

Tired, Moiraine watched how her warder left her side. The burning pain in her shoulder was reduced to an unpleasant pounding, but it was way better than what she had felt in Shadar Lagoth.

Nynaeve was by Lan's side, and Moiraine saw that the two were whispering. What were they talking about? And when had the wisdom joined them? Hadn't Egwene mentioned that she was dead? Killed by a Trolloc? Well, she looked very well for a dead woman. The Emond's Fielder must be thrilled.

Suddenly, the Aes Sedai noticed that it was very quiet around them. Where were Egwene and the boys? Why couldn't she hear them?

Lan returned and took the blankets off her one by one. Slowly, Moiraine tried to sit upright, but she needed Lan's help to succeed. "Where are the children?"

For a moment, shame moved over Lan's face, but then it was gone. "I will explain everything to you, later."

"Lan…"

"We only have a few hours until it will be too late for you. First, we find a sister and heal you. Then I will answer all of your questions."

Moiraine tried to protest, but Lan folded the blankets and stuffed them into their saddlebags. He wouldn't tell her anything right now. `Time to stand up then.´

But the woman of the Blue Ajah was too weak to get up on her own. Lan had to help her, and even when she was finally standing on her own two feet, she had to hold on to him or she would have fallen. Lan urged her to sit down on the big stone behind her. He didn't trust her not to fall. While he and the wisdom gathered their stuff, Moiraine observed their surroundings. She saw Aldieb and Mandarb and a third horse, which probably belonged to the wisdom, but the children's horses were missing as well as the children themselves.

In the distance, she recognized the big wall of Shadar Lagoth. Had they been able to leave the city? Or were they still trapped there? No, Lan would've helped them if they were still in reach. He knew how important they were. `We need to find them. They have never left the Two Rivers before. They don't know who to trust or who is a darkfriend.´

The pounding in her shoulder became uncomfortable, so Moiraine tried to relax. She was cursing this stupid injury. Without it, they would've never lost the Emond's Fielder and they would be able to follow them now. `Instead, we have to search for another Aes Sedai to heal me. I have no idea how I will explain this situation to a sister.´

Lan's gentle touch on her healthy shoulder pulled her out of her thoughts. Worry was written all over his face. Moiraine knew that it was driving him nuts that he couldn't do much to help her. "Can you ride?"

"I have to." The Aes Sedai held out her hand for support, and with the help of her warder, she got back on her feet.

Slowly, Lan, who wore his black coat again, guided her to Aldieb and Mandarb. Nynaeve was already sitting in her saddle, watching them with a critical look. "This is madness. She won't be able to stay in the saddle for five minutes."

Moiraine pressed a shaky hand against Aldieb's saddle. She would need Lan's help to get on the back of her horse. But the silent man noticed that the wisdom was right. It wouldn't take long until his Aes Sedai would fall from her horse because she was too weak to stay on it.

"Come." He pulled the surprised Moiraine to Mandarb, who was calmly searching for food on the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"The wisdom is right. You can't ride alone."

"And then you suggest that I should ride on Mandarb?" Lan steadied Moiraine, while he helped her to place her foot in the stirrup. "You know how he reacts to anyone who isn't…"

Lan interrupted her by saying: "Grab the saddle."

"You don't listen."

"Moiraine, we don't have much time. Grab the saddle."

Sighing, Moiraine reached up with her good arm, then Lan pushed her up until she was sitting in the saddle. Mandarb turned his head at the unusual light weight on his back, but Lan whispered some comforting words to the black stallion. Then he turned to the wisdom.

"I need you to take Aldieb's reins."

"Why should I do that?"

"Because I can't do both. I have to take care of Moiraine and we can't leave Aldieb behind. Or did you change your mind about following us?"

"She will get me to my friends!"

"Then take the reins." Nynaeve was shooting daggers at Lan's back, but the warder didn't care. He pulled Moiraine's foot out of the stirrup, then he pushed himself into Mandarb's saddle. At first, he had to move Moiraine carefully until they were both able to sit on Mandarb's back kind of comfortable. This way, they weren't able to move fast, but it was the only way to secure the injured woman.

Lan grabbed Mandarb's reins and gave his stallion the sign to start moving. He wasn't used to carrying two people on his back, but luckily Moiraine didn't weigh much. From the corner of the warder's eyes, he saw that Nynaeve was still pissed, but she took Aldieb's reins, which made him smile. She was a proud woman, but she would follow them. `Let's see how well she will take this little detour. It's still a long way until we reach our destination, and I highly doubt she will stay mum the whole time.´