Page 70 (1/1)

It was Perrin orried hermomentous as soon as Alliandre appeared in the flesh, if not what came, but he had been stunned by her vow If he took it into his head to return, to take another stab atAlliandre feel comfortable in her decision Oh, he did think with his heart when he should use his head And with his head when he should use his heart! Guilt pricked her at the thought

"Peculiar servants you found by the side of the road," Berelain said in tones of ave a start She had not heard the wo toward the carts, Lini shaking a finger at Maighdin, and Berelain shifted her gaze fro tone remained "The oldest at least see heard about theest is a wilder Very weak, Annoura says, negligible, but wilders always cause problems The others will carry tales about her, if they know, and sooner or later, she will run away Wilders always do, I hear That’s what cos"

"They suitconversation with Lini was definitely needed A wilder? Even if weak, thatservants" Berelain blinked, uncertain what that meant, and Faile carefully did not let her satisfaction show Turning away, she said, "Annoura, will you ainst listeners?"

There seemed little chance that Seonid or Masuri would find any opportunity to eavesdrop using the Power -- she aiting for the explosion when Perrin found out just how tightly the Wise Ones had that pair haltered -- yet the Wise Ones theht have learned Faile was sure Edarra and the others ringing Seonid and Masuri dry

The Gray sister’s beaded braids clicked softly as she nodded "It is done, Lady Faile," she said, and Berelain’s lips co the presentations here in Faile’s own tent! She deservedso

Childishly satisfying, Faile admitted, when she should be focused on the ravation She did not doubt her husband’s love, but she could not treat Berelain as the woainst her will, to play a ga board And the prize, so Berelain believed If only Perrin did not soht be Firmly she put all that out of her head There was a wife’s work to be done here The practical side

Alliandre glanced thoughtfully at Annoura when a as mentioned -- she had to realize it meant serious talk -- but what she said was "Your husband is a formidable man, Lady Faile I mean no offense when I say his bluff exterior belies a shrewd mind With Amadicia on our doorstep, we in Ghealdan play Daes Dae’mar of necessity, but I do not think I have ever been danced so swiftly or so deftly to a decision as your Lord did The hint of a threat here, a frown there A very for her smile took soreat store by the Game of Houses, and she did not think Alliandre would appreciate learning that Perrin simply said what he believed -- too freely by half, at times -- and people with devious minds saw calculation in his honesty "He spent some time in Cairhien," she said Let Alliandre make of that what she would "We can speak freely here, safe behind Annoura Sedai’s warding It is plain you do not want to return to Bethal yet Is your oath to Perrin, and his to you, not enough to tie him to you?" Some here in the south had peculiar ideas of what fealty entailed

Berelain silently took a position to Faile’s right, and a moment later Annoura did the same on her left, so that Alliandre found herself confronted by all three It surprised Faile that the Aes Sedai fell in with her plan without knohat it was -- without doubt Annoura had her own reasons, and Faile would have given a pretty to knohat they were -- but she felt no surprise that Berelain did so One casual , especially about Perrin’s skill in the Great Game, yet she was sure it would not come In a way, that irritated her Once she had despised Berelain; she still hated her, deep and hot, but grudging respect had replaced conteaht she uish that hateful thought, she pictured herself shaving Berelain bald She was a jade and a trull! And not so Faile could allow to divert her now

Alliandre studied each of the woave no evidence of nervousness Taking up her winecup again, she sipped casually and spoke with sighs and rueful smiles as if her words were not really as important as they sounded "I mean to keep my oath, of course, but you oes, I aible aid coht The Prophet could ruin Bethal or even Jehannah itself as he did Samara, and I cannot stop him And if he somehow learns of my oath He says he has coht, but he is the one who shows that way, and I cannot think he will be pleased with anyone who finds another"

"It is good that you will keep your oath," Faile told her dryly "If you want more of my husband, perhaps you should do oes south to meet the Prophet Of course, you ant your own soldiers with you, but I suggest nothe chair Perrin had vacated, she motioned Berelain and Annoura to those on either side, and only then gestured toward another for Alliandre

The Queen sat slowly, staring wideeyed at Faile, not nervous but astounded "Why in the Light would I do that?" she exclaiht will take any excuse to increase their depredations in Ghealdan, and King Ailron ht decide to send an are lord asks it of you, Alliandre," Faile said firmly

It did seem possible that Alliandre’s eyes could widen further, yet they did She looked to Annoura and found only i back "Of course," she said after a , she added, "Of course, I will do as you