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"That’s all very well for you and some of the others," Alise said doubtfully "If it’s true What about the rest of us? The Toould not have letas I did had I been quicker to learn" She darted a frown at the noellhooded sisters, and the stare she returned to Reanne held no little anger "What would we go back for? To be told again we aren’t strong enough and be sent on our way? Or will they just keep us as novices the rest of our lives? Soht accept that, but I won’t What for, Reanne? What for?"

Nynaeve cli her mare forward at the end of her reins, and Elayne i Lioness more easily "To be part of the Tower, if that’s what you wish," Nynaeve said i the two Kinswomen "Maybe to be Aes Sedai Myself, I don’t knohy you have to be a certain strength, if you can pass the fool tests Or don’t go back; run away, for all I care Once I’ her feet, she pulled off her hat and planted her fists on her hips "This is wasting time, Reanne, and we have work to do Are you sure there’s anybody here we can use? Speak up If you’re not sure, then we ht be out of the way, but noe have the thing, I’d as soon it was over and done with"

When she and Elayne were introduced as Aes Sedai, the Aes Sedai who had given the pro her woolen skirts as though her hands wanted to latch on to Reanne’s throat Her rily -- then snapped shut without a sound when Merilille joined theaze did not fade completely, but it became mixed with a touch of wonder And more than a touch of wariness

"Nynaeve Sedai," Merilille said calmly, "the Atha’an Miere are impatient to be off their horses I think so" A brief smile flickered across her lips

That settled that question, though Nynaeve gru to do to the next person who doubted her Elayne ht have said a few choice words herself, but the truth was, Nynaeve lookedon that ith Merilille and Reanne both waiting attentively for her to finish and Alise staring at all three That settled it, or perhaps it was the Windfinders, afoot and pulling their horses behind the the rde, worn away by hard saddles -- their legs seemed as stiff as their faces -- yet no one couldbut who they were

"If there are twenty Sea Folk this far fro" Nynaeve snorted but said nothing, for which Elayne was grateful The wo even with Merilille na them Aes Sedai Neither tirade nor tantrum would help

"Then Heal the woether, and Nynaeve added, "If they ask Politely" Merilille sain, but Nynaeve had already abandoned the Sea Folk and gone back to frowning at the now all but eoats still trotted around a farmyard littered with dropped wash and rakes and brooms, spilled buckets and baskets, not to mention the crumpled forms of Kinswoone back to scratching and pecking, but the only conscious wos were plainly not of the Kin Soh country woolens, yet the fact that they had not run spoke that iven tiroup Most appeared stunned

Despite her grue of Alise Or perhaps Alise took charge of Nynaeve It was difficult to tell, since the Kinswoman showed little of the deference toward Aes Sedai that the Knitting Circle did Perhaps she was still just too numbed by the sudden turn of events In any case, theywith the hat in her other hand, instructing Alise on how to bring in the scattered women and what to do with them once they were collected Reanne had been sure that at least one woh to join the circle was there, Garenia Rosoinde, and possibly two one Alise alternated between nodding and giving Nynaeve very level looks that Nynaeve see was done, seeh the panniers, but when Elayne turned toward the packhorses, which were just beginning to be lead toward the far Circle, Reanne and the whole lot of the tooaping The whole lot of thelance to find her, though Between Adeleas and Vandene, each holding an ar behind

The whitehaired sisters were linked, the glow of saidar so Ispan There was no way to tell which led the small circle and held the shield on the Darkfriend, but not even one of the Forsaken could have broken it They stopped to speak to a stout woaped at the leather sack covering Ispan’s head but still curtsied and pointed toward one of the whiteplastered buildings

Elayne exchanged angry glances with Aviendha Well, hers was angry, anyway So their horses over to two of the palace stablemen, they hurried after the three Some of the women ere not of the Kin tried to question the fashion, but Elayne gave thenant sniffs and snorts Oh, what she would not give to have the ageless face already! That tweaked a thread in the back of her thoughts, but it vanished as soon as she tried to examine it

When she pushed open the plain wooden door where the trio had vanished, Adeleas and Vandene had Ispan seated in a ladderback chair with her head bare, the sack lying atop a narrow trestle table with their linen cloaks The roo, but with the sun still high it let in a good light Shelves lined the walls, stacked with large copper pots and big white bowls By the s, the only other door led into a kitchen

Vandene looked around sharply at the sound of the door, but seeing them, she smoothed her face to a total lack of expression "Su off," she said, "and it seeain We do seeood to knohat the the Black Ajah," her mouth twisted in distaste, "was up to in Ebou Dar