For obvious reasons the entirety of this takes place in the Old Tongue.
Interlude XXIII - The Competent Forsaken Sub-Committee IV
The three figures faded into existence in an opulent villa. Frescoes decorated the walls around them while they lounged on beds surrounding a central table piled high with fruits. Of course the food was inedible, but that was hardly the point.
Demandred looked around, "not bad, definitely better than the operating theatre." This time he was looking quite pleased with himself, "what have we got for each other today?"
Mesaana was looking smug, but Semirhage was practically spitting with rage. So with a sigh he waved magnanimously at the sadist. "Why don't you go first Semirhage?"
She did not hesitate. "I am going to fucking kill Graendal, that woman, she… Argh."
Demandred had not seen Semirhage incoherent with rage many times before. She had built a persona over the centuries at least partly based around always being in perfect control of herself and what was going on around her, so this quite interesting.
"What exactly has Graendal done?" Mesaana's musical voice almost, but not quite, concealed her amusement.
"She attacked the Empress of Seanchan's palace. Openly. To steal chocolate! I know we all have our little indulgences, but she has gone too far this time! Too far! I am going to make her suffer for this." For Semirhage to call her activities 'little indulgences seemed generous.
Mesaana exchanged a look with Demandred, her tone becoming a bit more conciliatory. "I can see why it would annoy you, it drove me insane when Ishamael kept interfering with the White Tower, but why are you this angry?"
For a second Demandred thought Semirhage was going to lash out at Mesaana and prepared himself to intervene if necessary, she really was furious! "Because she did it openly. I do not care if they are looking for Graendal, good riddance if they catch her. The problem is that, because of her, they are now looking for women who can invert their webs and conceal their ability to channel. I am now having to worry about being discovered simply because she was unable to restrain her urges."
"Ah. I can see why that would be inconvenient." Demandred did his best to sound sympathetic. "Although… Are you entirely sure it was Graendal?"
"Well the way it was described it certainly sounded like her. Do you know many beautiful, 'well endowed', golden haired women who walk around practically naked all the time and are also powerful channelers? Who else could it have been? Lanfear at least has the decency to wear clothes, not that she wouldd ever deign to change her appearance." Semirhage snapped. "Anyway, it is not like any of the rest of us are focused on self-indulgence to the point of idiocy in the way Graendal is."
"Except Rahvin," Mesaana pointed out cheerfully.
She really was not helping so Demandred decided to ignore her and just answer Semirhage. "Mmm a fair point, but even Graendal is usually more circumspect. I am just saying that someone may be trying to make her take the blame for their actions. Perhaps to undermine her specifically, perhaps to sow discord among the Chosen." He thought for a second. "Remember that she was apparently responsible for Sammael's death and presumably Ishamael's too given the timing. She was summoned to Shayol Ghul to account for her actions and yet appears to have escaped unpunished. I would not put it beyond her to talk her way out of almost anything, but she must have been very convincing."
"Hmph." Semirhage clearly was not happy with Demandred's point, but did not seem inclined to argue, so he continued with a sigh.
"Well I at least have been having a better time. My efforts among the Sharans continue apace, but more recently I have made an excellent new acquisition. You have heard of Mazrim Taim, yes?" The other two nodded. "Well the aes sedai had put down his amusing little adventure in Dragonhood and were taking him back to Tar Valon to be severed. So I paid him a visit and made him an offer he could not refuse. He is strong in the Power, strong enough to be one of us, albeit untrained just like the other barbarians of this Age. He is going to be exceptionally useful going forward."
Both women looked suitably impressed at his achievement, even Semirhage.
Next it was Mesaana's turn. She leant back and smiled. "I have a few things to report. Firstly efforts in the Tower are proceeding well. Elaida is dancing to our tune now. Most recently she has issued a pair of proclamations. One forbidding any nation from directly approaching the Dragon. This will help to keep him weak and prevent him from uniting more nations. I am working on ensuring that when she does interact with him it's in the least productive way possible. The second proclamation states that Taija Kosola is a darkfriend." She finished with a smug smile.
"I do not see why you should care so much about that." Semirhage still sounded thoroughly put out. "She is weaker than any of us and we want her dead not inconvenienced."
Mesaana smiled more widely and wagged her finger, Demandred really did need to have a word with her about winding Semirhage up. "It's all about the long term game my dear. Yes this will just make life more inconvenient for her, but it will also call into question the Dragon's actions as she is associated with him. However, most importantly of all, it works to ensure that there can be no reconciliation between her and the White Tower. The last thing we want is the half-trained children of this Age having a proper teacher."
"A good point." Demandred quickly replied before Semirhage could get angrier at Mesaana's disrespect. "You said you had more than one thing to report?"
"Ah yes, our fellow Chosen. I'm afraid I'm as perplexed as either of you about Graendal's actions. However, I do have a few things to share." She paused to organise her thoughts. "Lanfear's spitting mad, as far as I can tell she's still got no idea where Lews Therin is and it's driving her up the wall. The Great Lord only knows what she's up to while she can't pursue her obsession."
That at least got Semirhage to smile, she always had had a particular hate for Lanfear, although Demandred had never worked out why.
"Rahvin is also in a foul mood. I pity whatever women he's using at the moment." Demandred doubted that, Mesaana had little room for pity in her. "Obviously I haven't spoken to him myself, but I gather that he tried to attack the Dragon in the Stone of Tear and was rebuffed by one of the half-trained children of this Age."
"Embarrassing," but amusing nevertheless. He would have to be careful though, Rahvin was hardly the most skilled channeler out there, but with his strength in the Power it should not have been possible.
"Indeed, now finally, saving the best for last, I've been speaking with our favourite little spider and she knows where the Dragon is and also where he will be. Of course her being her she's too cowardly to take any action herself, but I think there's opportunity here for us…"