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As always, Rand was trailed by a flock of attendants Maidens were his guards, and the Aiel watched the Saldaean soldiers ariness Beside him were several Aes Sedai They were always about him, now The Pattern had no place for his onetith It wove as it willed, and experience had shown that Rand needed these Aes Sedai What he wanted no longer mattered He understood that now

It was little coiance to him Everyone knew that Aes Sedai followed their oaths in their oays, and they would decide what their "fealty" to him would require

Elza Penfell--who accompanied him this day--was one of those who had sworn to hiht be considered pretty, if one didn’t recognize the ageless quality that marked her as Aes Sedai She was pleasant, for an Aes Sedai, despite the fact that she had helped kidnap Rand and lock him in a box for days, to be pulled out only for the occasional beating

In the back of his rowled

That was past Elza had sworn That was enough to allow Rand to use her The other wo him today was less predictable; she was a member of Cadsuane’s retinue Corele Hovian--a slim Yelloith blue eyes, wild dark hair, and a perpetual smile--had sworn no oaths to do as he said Despite that, he felt a temptation to trust her, since she had once tried to save his life It was only because of her, Samitsu and Damer Flinn that Rand had survived One of tounds in Rand’s side that would not heal--a gift froered as a re evil overlaid the equal pain of an older wound beneath, the one Rand had taken while fighting Ishao

Soon, one of those wounds--or perhaps both--would spill Rand’s blood onto the rocks of Shayol Ghul He wasn’t certain if they would be what killed him or not; with the nu to take Rand’s life, even Mat wouldn’t have knohich one was the best bet

As soon as Rand thought of Mat, the colors swirled in his vision, for a wide-bri soldiers Mat wore a grin and seeh there didn’t see hands for his throws

The visions caht of Mat or Perrin, and Rand had stopped dises to appear; probably his ta’veren nature interacting with the other two ta’veren froe Whatever it was, he used it Just another tool It appeared that Mat was still with the Band, but was no longer cale, but he looked to be outside a city soe road in the near distance

Rand had not seen the small, dark-skinned woone?

The vision faded Hopefully, Mat would return to him soon He would need Mat and his tactical skills at Shayol Ghul

One of Bashere’s quarters and a squat body--saw Rand and approached with a quick step Rand waved the Saldaean back; he had no mind for supply reports at the moment The quarterht have been surprised at how quickly he was obeyed, but no longer It was right for the soldiers to obey Rand was a king, though he didn’t wear the Crown of Swords at the reen, filled with tents and horse pickets now He left the ca the unfinished earthen bulwark Here, pine trees continued down the sides of the gentle slope Tucked into a stand of trees just to the right was the Traveling ground, a square section of ground roped off to provide a safe location for gateways

One hung in the air at that roup of people wasout onto the pinecone-strewn ground Rand could see the weaves that ateway; this one had been crafted with saidin

Most of the people in the group wore the colorful clothing of Sea Folk--theair, the woht blouses All wore loose trousers, and all had piercings in their ears or noses, the complexity of the adornments an indication of each person’s relative status

As he waited for the Sea Folk, one of the soldiers who guarded the Traveling ground approached Rand with a sealed letter The letter would be one sent via Asha’man from one of Rand’s interests in the east Indeed, as he opened it, he found it was froather an ar had been coain--about his orders Could no one sier," Rand said to the soldier, i the letter away "Tell Darlin to continue recruiting I want him to draft every Tairen who can hold a sword and either train hies The Last Battle is close Very close"

"Yes,

"Tell him that I will send an Asha’man when I want him to move," Rand said "I still intend to use him in Arad Doman, but I need to see what the Aiel have discovered first"

The soldier bowed and retreated Rand turned back to the Sea Folk One of the Harine was a handso her hair Her Atha’an Miere blouse was of a bright blue, colorful enough to is in each ear as well as a nose chain strung with gold medallions

"I did not expect you to come and meet us personally," Harine continued

"I have questions for you that could not wait"

Harine looked taken aback She was the Sea Folk ambassador to the Corary with Rand for the weeks he had spent without a Sea Folk minder--he had proain had mentioned their hesitation to send Harine back Why was that? Had she achieved greater rank,her too important to attend him? Could one be too important to attend the Coramoor? Much about the Sea Folk made little sense to hiuardedly Behind her, porters ateway Flinn stood on the other side, holding the portal open

"Good," Rand said, pacing back and forth before her as he spoke At times, he felt so tired--so weary to his bones--that he knew he had to keepIf he did, his enemies would find him Either that, or his own exhaustion, bothhim down

"Tell me this," he demanded as he paced "Where are the ships which have been prorain rots in the east Logain said you had agreed toof your ships It has been weeks!"

"Our ships are swift," Harine said testily, "but there is a great distance to travel--and we h seas controlled by the Seanchan The invaders have been extreent with their patrols, and our ships have had to turn back and flee on several occasions Did you expect that ould be able bring your food in an instant? Perhaps the convenience of these gateways has made you impatient, Cora and war even if you do not"