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"They assume that they are safe froreat impact on the future Each ained by our forces, but one lost by the enemy Preliminary reports claim that there are hundreds upon hundreds of ated in this place called the White Tower"

That ht A force like that could turn the war entirely True, those marath’damane who had traveled with Matrim had said that they would not take part in wars Indeed, marath’damane who had once been Aes Sedai had--so far--proven useless as weapons But could there be so Matriers flew

"The Daughter of the Nine Moons wonders how a strike against thereat Hundreds of leagues"

"We would use a force of mostly to’raken," General Yulan said "With sorasslands with very few inhabitants, which could be used as resting points along the way We could strike across Murandy here," he pointed at a second map, which aides held up, "and cohter, we could raid at night, while the marath’damane are asleep Our objective would be to capture as many of them as possible"

"It is wondered if this really could be accoued "What numbers would we be able to use for such a raid?"

"If ere fully coather up between eighty and a hundred to’raken for the assault"

Eighty to a hundred to’raken So, perhaps around three hundred soldiers, with equip back captured marath’damane Three hundred would be a considerable force for a raid like this, but they would have to htly, so as to not be trapped

"If it pleases the Highest Daughter," General Galgan said, stepping forward again "I believe General Yulan’s plan has reat loss, but ill never have another such opportunity If brought to bear in our conflict, those ain access to this weapon of theirs, or even their ability to travel great distancesWell, I believe that the risk of every to’raken in our arhter," General Yulan continued "Our plan calls for the use twenty squads of the Fist of Heaven--two hundred troops total--and fifty linked sul’daroup of Bloodknives would be appropriate as well"

Bloodknives, the most elite roup Yulan and Galgan were dedicated to this action! One never committed Bloodknives unless one was very serious, for they did not return from their missions Their duty was to stay behind after the Fists withdrew and cause dae as possible--to the enemy If they could place some of them in Tar Valon, with orders to kill as on Reborn will not react well to this raid," Tuon said to Galgan "Is he not connected to these an said "Others say he is opposed to theence in this area lowers hter I have not been able to sort the lies from the truths Until we have better inforer hireatly"

"And you still think it hile?"

"Yes," Galgan said without hesitation "If these on Reborn, then we have greater reason to strike now, before he can use thee him--but it will also weaken hi with hihtfully Undoubtedly, this was the difficult decision of the omen But her choice seemed very obvious Not a difficult decision at all All of the marath’damane in Tar Valon must be collared, and this was an excellent way to weaken resistance to the Ever Victorious Arle, powerful blow

But the oestured to Selucia "Are there any in the room who disapprove of this plan?" the Voice asked "Any ould offer objection to what General Yulan and his arded one another Beslan ht have stirred, but he remained silent The Altarans had notcollared; it seemed they had little trust for those who could channel They had not been as prudent as A these Aes Sedai, but neither were they welcoainst the White Tower

She sat back, waitingFor what? Perhaps this wasn’t the decision the oive the order to go forith the raid, but at thatof the doors uarded the door stepped aside aa so’jhin who served in the hallway The strong-arround, the black braid over his right shoulder dropping to the side and hitting the tiled floor "May it please the Daughter of the Nine Moons, Lieutenant-General Tylee Khir-gan would like an audience"

Galgan looked shocked

"What is it?" Tuon asked hihter," he said "I suggest in huiven leave to speak She is one of my finest officers"

"She may enter," Selucia Voiced

Aa woman in armor, her helm under her arainst her scalp, she was tall and lean Her hair was sprinkled hite at the te plates of her armor were striped with red, yellow and blue lacquer, and creaked as she walked She was only of the low Blood--recently raised by General Galgan’s order-- but she had been inforer’s width up the sides of her head

Tylee’s eyes were red with fatigue Judging by the scent of sweat and the stink of horse she gave off, she had co in the city She was followed into the roo a large brown sack Upon reaching the supplication space--a red square of cloth--all went down on their knees The common soldiers proceeded to touch foreheads to the floor, and Tylee jerked as if to follow, but stopped herself She was not yet accusto one of the Blood

"It is obvious that you are tired, warrior," Selucia Voiced Tuon leaned forward "It is presureat iestured to the side One of her soldiers rose to his knees and lifted up his brown sack It was stained on the bottohest Daughter," Tylee said, voice betraying exhaustion She nodded to her s onto the floor The heads of several animals A boar, a wolf, anda hawk? Tuon felt a chill That hawk’s head was as large as a person’s Perhaps larger But they were notright The heads were horribly deformed

She could swear that the hawk’s head, which rolled so that she could see the face clearly, had human eyes Andthe other heads hadhuman features as well Tuon suppressed a shiver What foul oan dehter knows of ainst the Aiel," Tylee said, still on one knee Tylee had captured dah Tuon didn’t knowher return with some curiosity to receive the full story

"In my venture," Tylee continued, "I was joined by men of various nationalities, none of whoive a full report on thelanced at the heads "Thesecreaturesattacked ues froht several full bodies as well as these heads They walked on two feet, like ain "I believe them to be what some on this side of the ocean speak of as Trollocs I believe theue about the ian ianize patrols and send runners to warn of a potential attack on the city The sul’dam at the side of the room hurried forward to inspect the heads while the Deathwatch Guards quietly surrounded Tuon, to give an extra layer of defense, watching everyone--Blood, servants, and soldiers--with equal care

Tuon felt she should be shocked But, oddly, she wasn’t So Matrined covertly to Selucia And she had assulanced at the heads again Revolting

Selucia sees he said that we discounted, I wonder?