Moiraine and Lan arrive at the infirmary, and Moiraine gets into a conversation with a patient.

Shortly after their meeting with the Whitecloaks, Moiraine and Lan entered the infirmary. During the battle between the Seanchan and the Whitecloaks, the citizens of Falme got injured. Now, the infirmary became bigger every day because everyone who needed medical attention ended up there.

Since the Children of the Light didn't allow anyone to leave the city, Nynaeve had decided to be of use while they were there. So, the Emond's Fielder helped their Wisdom heal the sick people.

Elayne, who didn't dare to tell the Whitecloaks who she truly was, helped the women who had become her friends at the White Tower.

And Moiraine and Lan? Well, there were enough things to do at the infirmary to keep everyone busy. Moiraine simply did her best to keep her distance from the Wisdom.

It was early in the morning, yet the Aes Sedai and Warder barely made it inside. The entrance was crowded with sick people and those who injured themselves recently. Nynaeve's herbs and talents were well known among the citizens by now, so everyone wanted her to help them.

Lan shielded Moiraine as best as possible while they pushed themselves through the crowd. It was pure madness!

On the inside, the infirmary was filled with countless beds, and almost all of them were taken. Every day, Nynaeve decided who to send back home, but the people kept coming. It seemed like there would never be an end to it.

Because the Whitecloaks sneaked around the city – and the infirmary wasn't left out from their searchers – it was impossible to use the One Power to heal the citizens. So, Moiraine had to use herbs, hot water, and towels to treat the injuries.

"There you are." Nynaeve pushed through the crowd until she stood before Moiraine and Lan. "How kind of you to decide to join us. Did you decide to start late today?"

"We got caught up," Lan explained calmly, letting his eyes wander over the crowd. "Is it just me, or are there more people than yesterday?"

Nynaeve snorted. "Caught up? Doing what exactly?"

"I ran into two Whitecloaks," Moiraine explained.

Of course, her words didn't calm the young woman. Instead, she straightened, her eyes narrowing on the Aes Sedai like she searched for injuries. "They questioned you?"

"They wanted to know where Rand and Perrin are. Since I don't know where they're staying, nor have I seen them for days, I was of no use to them."

That actually did calm the young woman, enough to make her remember there were patients waiting to be treated. "Well, if nothing else happ… What is that?"

Moiraine winced when Nynaeve's fingers touched her throat. Her body reacted immediately, swatting the hand away. "Don't touch me," she hissed.

"You are injured."

"I'll be alright. Where do you need me today?"

For a moment, it looked like Nynaeve would explode, but then, she crossed her arms before her chest. "The chamber pots need to be emptied."

An evil glimmer shone in the Wisdom's eyes, daring the woman of the Blue Ajah to decline. Every morning, the helpers pulled straws to decide who would have to do the dirty work.

Sighing, Lan tried to calm the situation. "I'm sure there are probably other tasks-"

"I'll do it."

"Moiraine…." Before the Malkieri could stop her, the Cairhien woman slipped through his fingers. She wouldn't give Nynaeve the satisfaction of running from her task, though her skin tingled when she thought about those chamber pots. Light, she wanted to leave that terrible city!

Two hours later, Moiraine was ready for a break. She had emptied countless pots and didn't know if she would ever get the smell out of her hair. Tonight, she would take a long, warm bath. Hopefully, that would make up for that terrible day.

"So, today it's your turn to empty the pots?"

Surprised, Moiraine lifted her head. An old woman, whose pot she had just emptied, had addressed her. The woman was from Tear, though she had lived in Falme for many years now, and her name was Lia. The helpers avoided the patient since she had a sharp tongue and used fish metaphors that many didn't understand. Moiraine was the only one who liked talking and listening to her.

Like Siuan, that woman had darker skin with the typical Tairen drawings on her body and curly hair, though her hair was grey now. Lia reminded Moiraine of her lover, and the Cairhien woman couldn't help herself but imagine Siuan whenever she talked to the old woman. Would Siuan look like her one day?

"You pulled the short straw?"

"The short straw?" Moiraine asked, confused.

The old woman chuckled. "Oh, please. We're injured, not stupid. Do you really think we didn't notice you guys used straws to decide who would empty our pots?" The chuckle turned into an unhealthy cough.

Quickly, Moiraine grabbed a cup of water and helped Lia to take a few sips. Then she helped her to lie down again. "You should take it easy."

The Tairen woman waved a hand dismissively. "I'm a tough fish. The wound and the fever couldn't kill me, nor will this silly infection take the wind out of my sails. It's nasty, but I'm not ready to swim with the fish yet."

Involuntarily, the Aes Sedai smiled when she heard all those fish metaphors. Siuan would have loved Lia.

"Your body is weakened by the fever. If you're not careful, that infection could do more damage than is good for you."

"Fish guts." Again, Lia waved her hand dismissively. "I'm like an octopus. I cling to life with everything I have." When Moiraine opened her mouth to disagree, she got interrupted. "Stop acting like a fish on land and help an old woman to sit comfortably."

Acting like a fish on land? Moiraine had tried to argue, but Lia had cut her off. That was hardly… For a moment, the Aes Sedai was tempted to ignore Lia's plea but then remembered that the other helpers stayed away from the Tairen woman. If she didn't help her now, Lia would have to wait until Moiraine was done with emptying all the pots, and only the Light knew what else Nynaeve had in store for her afterward.

Sighing heavily, the Cairhien woman gave up and helped Lia into a sitting position. She stuffed a few pillows behind Lia's back so the old woman would sit comfortably, then used the blanket to cover Lia's thin legs. It wasn't exactly warm in the infirmary, and Lia couldn't use another fever.

"Stop fussing over me. I don't need help by using a blanket."

"You need to stay warm," Moiraine responded. "Have you eaten anything yet?"

Lia snorted. "As if any of those helpers would dare to get close to me. If they get the chance, they use every task that keeps them far away from me." The Tairen woman sounded amused, not bothered.

Moiraine smiled. "Maybe you need to stop scaring them, then they wouldn't be afraid of you."

"Scaring them? It's not my fault when they are all little silverpikes, scared of their own shadows." Lia crossed her thin arms before her chest. "Maybe you should teach them how to grow up." Suddenly, her smart eyes narrowed on the Aes Sedai. "You haven't been afraid of me – not for one second. You've been to Tear before?"

The woman of the Blue Ajah had visited Tear many times over the years but had rarely stayed for long. She could never forget Siuan's stories about how the people treated her and her father just because Siuan could channel. Light, Moiraine wouldn't have talked to Lia if the woman didn't remind her of her lover.

Close the Waygate.

An image of her angry lover appeared before Moiraine's eyes. She still couldn't believe Siuan had used her oath to force her into closing the Waygate against her will. Never had they pushed the other one when they didn't want to do something. It had pained her to see Siuan turning into the Amyrlin Seat, ordering her around like she was a simple Aes Sedai and not her lover and partner in that mission for decades.

The image got replaced by an injured Siuan, lying on the ground. Blood running over her forehead and out of her nose. Had someone found her? Had they been able to heal her? What would she tell the other Aes Sedai? But more importantly, could she ever forgive Moiraine for not helping her? – For leaving her there?

"I…." Moiraine swallowed when her voice was nothing more than a croak. "I have a… friend." Relief washed over when she was able to get the word over her lips. She really hoped she and Siuan were still friends. "She is from Tear and would love your fish metaphors."

"You say she is a friend, yet you look sad when you talk about her."

Quickly, Moiraine pulled her Aes Sedai mask in place. Light, she had to be careful! Lia wasn't Siuan. Only Lan and Siuan were allowed to see behind her mask – to see the emotional Moiraine. Moiraine didn't want anyone else to see her like that.

"The last time we saw each other, we… let's say we had an argument."

Lia nodded like she understood. "Sometimes, even friends argue. The next time you see each other, you both apologize and will laugh about it."

Moiraine swallowed. She wasn't so sure everything would be forgotten after an apology. She had left her injured lover to go with a Forsaken. Worse even, that particular Forsaken was the reason why Siuan had been injured.

"I better get back to-"

"Sit down, little fish."

Surprised, the Cairhien woman's eyes widened. Lia gave orders now? That woman became bold. "You're a patient here. You can't just-"

"Yet I did, didn't I? Now, skip the excuses and sit. I'm bored, so entertain me."

This time, Moiraine couldn't suppress a short laughter. "Trust me. You ask the wrong person to entertain you. Besides, it won't look good if I take a break while everyone else keeps working."

"Doesn't look good, hm?" Lia smiled knowingly. "Let me guess. The little whirlwind with the braid wouldn't approve, right?"

A smile tugged at the Aes Sedai's lips when she heard Lia's description of Nynaeve, though she fought hard not to show it. "I should finish-"

"The pots won't sail away. They will still be there when you're done entertaining me."

"I can't-"

"Sit down, little fish. I'll warn you when the stormy whirlwind starts looking for you."

Speechless, Moiraine stared at the Tairen woman. She truly was just like Siuan – always saying what was on her mind. Siuan also wouldn't have accepted a 'no' in that situation.

"I'm not getting any younger," Lia sighed.

Finally, Moiraine threw a glance to Nynaeve, who was barking orders while working on a patient. Surely, it wouldn't hurt if she took a short break from emptying the chamber pots. "Fine. I guess I can sit with you for a few minutes." Carefully, the woman of the Blue Ajah took a seat at Lia's feet.

Lia's knowing eyes looked in Nynaeve's direction before she focused on Moiraine again. "Why do you allow that girl to treat you so badly? I don't take you for a woman who usually takes orders from a child."

"Don't let her hear you calling her a 'child'," the Aes Sedai warned the older woman quietly. "She doesn't like that."

"And you like taking orders from her?"

Moiraine gritted her teeth. She definitely didn't like following Nynaeve's orders, but there was no other choice at the moment. Because of the Whitecloaks, she couldn't use Saidar to help Lia and the other patients. "She is a Wisdom. So, she is your best chance to get better… at the moment."

"Getting better." Lia snorted while letting her eyes move over the other patients. "We're getting treatment, and the child does everything she can, but the true enemy comes in here in disguise."

Confused, Moiraine furrowed her forehead. True Enemy? What was Lia talking about? "Who comes in here in disguise?"

"The Whitecloaks."

Moiraine almost laughed. The Whitecloaks didn't disguise themselves. Every day, there were a few who helped in the infirmary. Moiraine ensured that she would stay far away from them, as best as possible. "Some of them try to help here while the rest of them search for the Dragon Reborn."

"Help? They don't help. Open your eyes, little fish. Haven't you noticed how many people have died since the Whitecloaks decided to 'help'?"

It was a dangerous accusation, and Moiraine hoped Lia knew to keep her mouth shut when someone from the Children of the Light was around. "Sometimes, people die, Lia. And the people in here received heavy injuries. Not every body is able to survive the fight."

"I have lost many friends to the water, but this… No. This feels more like walking a plank – at least for some people."

"What makes you think that?"

Lia checked if anyone was listening, then motioned at Moiraine to come closer. Sighing, the Cairhien woman obeyed. The accusation was ridiculous, but the Tairen woman was obviously convinced about her theory.

"They talk to every older patient, asking about their families and where the person comes from. And everyone who mentions he doesn't have any living relatives receives a second visit from another Whitecloak later that day. They bring a cup of tea with them. A few hours later, the child declares them dead."

A shiver ran over Moiraine's back, though she knew the story wasn't true. The Whitecloaks wouldn't kill people when there were so many witnesses… right? "All those people died because their bodies hadn't been strong enough to fight the injury," Moiraine tried to explain calmly. "The Whitecloaks didn't-"

"Fish guts! I'm not crazy, little fish. They came to me this morning, wanting to know everything about me. I have no living relatives and no one who would mourn me once I'm gone." Lia lowered her voice even further. "I'm telling you. They'll be coming for me today."

"Lia-"

"Those men don't help or mean well. They bring death and try to get rid of the old ones who no one will miss. The longer the Children of the Light stay in Falme, the harder it is for the city to feed all those people. So, those men decide over life and death."

Moiraine knew the Whitecloaks were bastards but doubted they would go that far. Killing older people with no relatives left to miss them sounded hard and extreme. No, Lia had to be wrong about that one.

"Nynaeve would have noticed if any death had looked suspicious."

"Who is Nynaeve?"

"The Wisdom you call a whirlwind."

"Ah." Lia made another dismissive move with her hand. "The girl has so much work and patients, she can't pay attention to why a person died." Then she narrowed her eyes on Moiraine. "Why do you defend the Whitecloaks? Do you believe they're good people? Are you on their side?"

"I don't defend…." Sighing, Moiraine started anew. "Listen. I don't like the Whitecloaks, Lia. They're not good people, and I try to stay far away from them if possible." Subconsciously, Moiraine's hand moved to her throat. It still hurt.

The older woman grabbed the Aes Sedai's wrist and pulled her hand down. Her eyes shone with anger when she saw the reminder of the Whitecloak's hand. "You didn't have that yesterday."

"It's not easy to avoid someone who invaded an entire city." Carefully, Moiraine freed her hand. "So, as you can see, I don't like the Whitecloaks. Yet, I don't believe they would go that far to kill innocent people."

"Ask other patients. They will tell you the same thing."

"Are you already done with emptying the pots?"

Moiraine winced and cursed herself for it in the next moment. Angrily, she turned toward Nynaeve, who had appeared out of nowhere. "Not yet."

The young Wisdom crossed her arms before her chest. "So, you decided to have a nice chat with a patient while everyone else is working? Do you want us to serve you tea for your little chat? Maybe a snack while we're at it?"

Moiraine needed all her strength not to strangle that girl. How dared she insist Moiraine was working less than the others? "I took a moment to help Lia here. I will finish-"

"A cup of tea would be nice," Lia interrupted, smiling sweetly at the Wisdom. "My throat is dry and feels like a salted fish. And bring a cup for Alys too, child. She is working for hours without taking a break. Tea will give her back her strength to finish the task."

Nynaeve froze, though her chest was rising and falling at a dangerous pace, which told Moiraine that rage ran through her veins. Blood and ashes! She had warned Lia not to call Nynaeve a child. That woman was playing with fire and didn't care about an explosion.

Quickly, the Cairhien woman jumped to her feet. "I will get you some tea once I'm done with the pots, Lia. Until then, you have some water to wet your dry throat."

Lia turned to Moiraine. Disappointment was clearly written on her face. "Do you have to take that fun from me? I enjoy a good fight."

"Lia," Moiraine said in a warning tone. "No one has time for a fight. Countless people wait for treatment so they can go home."

"If they don't die first." The old woman raised her eyebrows at Moiraine, telling her that she wasn't done convincing her about the Whitecloaks being guilty.

Of course, Nynaeve didn't know about the accusation and misunderstood. "We do our best to keep everyone alive, but we are not the creator," she said in a biting tone. "Sometimes, people die because their bodies are too weak to keep fighting." Then, the young Wisdom from the Two Rivers turned around and left.

Tiredly, Moiraine rubbed her eyes. That day was getting worse by the minute. "I'll finish the pots and then return with tea."

But before she could leave, Lia grabbed her wrist. "I have a bad feeling, little fish. Those Whitecloaks… they stink like old fish. They will let the old ones go the plank."

Smiling, the woman of the Blue Ajah padded the Tairen woman's hand reassuringly. "You have nothing to worry about, Lia. If you listen to Nynaeve, take your medicine, and rest, you will be out of here in no time."

Lia gave her a sad smile. "We'll see, little fish. We'll see."