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Gawyn nodded "That’s not unheard-of for a Green"

"It isn’t because she isn’t open to having o, when she bonded ed him worthy She asked me to search She doesn’t think s Too busy with otherwhy he was being told this

Sleete turned,Gawyn’s eyes "It’s been over ten years, but I’ve found someone worthy She will bond you this hour, if you wish it"

Gawyn blinked in surprise at Sleete The lankycloak, wearing nondescript brown and green beneath Others co hair and sideburns, Sleete lookedterh, perhaps, but natural Like uncut stones or a gnarled--yet sturdy--oak

"I’m honored, Sleete," Gawyn said "But I came to the White Tower to study because of Andoran traditions, not because I was going to be a Warder My place is beside wene

"You came for those reasons," Sleete said, "but those reasons have passed You’ve fought in our war, you’ve killed Warders and defended the Tower You are one of us You belong with us"

Gawyn hesitated

"You search," Sleete said "Like a hawk, glancing this way and that, trying to decide whether to perch or to hunt You’ll tire of flying eventually Join us, and becoood Aes Sedai Wiser than most, far less prone to squabbles or foolishness than many in the Tower"

"I can’t, Sleete," Gawyn said, shaking his head "Andor "

"Hattori is not regarded as influential by the White Tower," Sleete said "The others rarely care what she does To have you, she’d see herself assigned to Andor You could have both, Gawyn Trakand Think on it"

Gawyn hesitated again, then nodded "Very well I’ll think on it"

Sleete released his arm "As much as a man can ask"

Gawynback toward Sleete in the dusty barn Then Gawyn gestured toward Corbet and gestured with a curt sign Leave and watch, it est a to do to prove hi if anyone approached

Sleete watched with curiosity as Corbet positioned himself, hand on his sword Gawyn then stepped forward and spoke more quietly, too soft for Corbet to hear "What do you think of what happened in the Tower, Sleete?"

The rough ainst the inside barn wall With a glance during the casual move, Sleete checked out thetofrom that side

"It’s bad," Sleet finally said, tone hushed "Warder shouldn’t fight Warder Aes Sedai shouldn’t fight Aes Sedai Should never happen Not now Not ever"

"But it did," Gawyn said

Sleete nodded

"And noe’ve got two different groups of Aes Sedai," Gawyn continued, "with two different ar the other"

"Just keep your head down," Sleete said "There are hot tempers in the Tower, but there are wise "

"Which is?"

"End it," Sleete said "With killing if necessary, other ways if possible Nothing is worth this division Nothing"

Gawyn nodded

Sleete shook his head "My Aes Sedai, she didn’t like the feel of things in the Tower Wanted to get out She’s wisewise and crafty But she’s also not influential, so the others don’t listen to her Aes Sedai Soest stick"

Gawyn leaned closer One rarely heard talk about Aes Sedai ranking and influence They didn’t have ranks, like thethee How did it work? Sleete seemed to have some idea, but he didn’t talk further on it, so it would have to reot out," Sleete continued softly "Went on thisthe depth of what it was about She just didn’t want to be in the Tower Wise wo a hand on Gawyn’s shoulder "Ha a twist in his stomach