Page 81 (1/1)

As the servants with the cloaks and trays bowed and curtsied themselves off, Cadsuane finally turned to the three sisters a Kuaide re the Aes Sedai privacy "I hardly expected to find you strolling about at your ease," Cadsuane said "I thought the Aiel worked their apprentices hard"

Faeldrin barely reacted, ht jerk of her head that softly rattled the colored beads in her thin braids, but Merana colored with embarrassment, and her hands clenched in her skirts Events had shaken Merana so deeply that Cadsuane was unsure she would ever recover Bera, of course, was very nearly unflappable

"Most of us were given a freeday because of the rain," Bera replied calmly A sturdy woman in plain wool -- fine and wellcut, but decidedly plain -- you ht her ht if you were a fool; Bera had a keenwill, and Cadsuane did not believe she ever made the saotten overCadsuane Melaidhrin, alive and in the flesh, yet she did not let awe rule her After only the slightest of deep breaths, she went on "I cannot understand why you keep co from us, but unless you tell us what it is, we cannot help you We knohat you did for the Lord Dragon" -- she stumbled a little over the title; they still were not quite sure what to call the boy -- "but it’s obvious you came to Cairhien because of him, and until you tell us why and what you intend, you must understand that you’ll find no aid froave a start at Bera’s bold tone, but she was nodding agreement before Bera finished

"You ained "If we decide we e, but Faeldrin’s reed, and perhaps she did not want to reveal too much

Cadsuane favored them with a thin smile Tell theed to stuff thes tied hand and foot, even Bera S the! "I did not coian would enjoy a visit, since you have a freeday You will excuse aide to lead on, she followed the wolanced back once Bera and the others had already gathered up Ku theeese Cadsuane sian little better than a wilder and treated her little better than a servant In that coher The most suspicious could not think they were there to try to convince anyone of anything So Daigian would pour the tea and sit quietly except when addressed -- and apply her excellentshe heard Kuian speak before her -- and sort and file away every word, every gesture and grimace Bera and the rest would keep their oaths to the boy, of course -- that ithout saying -- but how assiduously was another question Even Merana o too far beyond bare obedience That was bad enough, yet it left considerable room for them toat their tasks along the broad, tapestryhung hallways darted aside for Cadsuane and Corgaide, and the two of theressed to a flurry of deep bows and curtsies made over baskets and trays and araide, Cadsuane suspected the deference was as much for the Holder of the Keys as for an Aes Sedai There were a few Aiel about, too, huge men like coldeyed lions and woazes followed her icily enough to bring on the snow threatened by the rain outside, but other Aiel nodded to her gravely, and here and there one of the fierceeyed women went so far as to s their Car’a’carn, but tales becaranted her more respect than any other sister, and certainly more freedom of movement around the Palace She wondered how they would feel if they knew that had she had the boy in front of her right then, she would have been hardpressed to stop herself fro his hide for hiot hied to elude her completely, he had made her task even more difficult, if half what she heard was true A pity he had not been raised in Far Madding But then, that aide took her to was co in marble fireplaces at either end of the chalass towers that chased the day’s glooaide had sent orders ahead to prepare while she aiting in the entry hall A serving woman appeared almost as soon as they, with both hot tea and spiced wine on a tray, and s else, Aes Sedai?" Corgaide asked as Cadsuane set her sewing basket beside the tray on a table with edge and legs thickly gilded Rigidly carved, too, as was the wide cornice, also covered with gilt Cadsuane always felt she was in a golden fish hen she visited Cairhien Despite the light and war outside the tall narros and the gray sky outside heightened the sensation

"The tea will do nicely," she said "If you will, tell Alanna Mosvani that I want to see her Tell her, without delay"

Corgaide’s keys jingled as she curtsied,respectfully that she would find "Alanna Aes Sedai" herself Her grave expression never altered as she left Very likely she was exa the request for subtleties Cadsuane preferred to be direct, when possible She had tripped up any number of clever people who had not believed shebasket, she took out her embroidery hoop with a less than halfdone piece of rapped around it The basket had pockets woven inside to hold ite Her ivory hand htly stoppered ink bottle, a nus that she had found useful to have at hand over the years, including soh to search the basket Not that she often left it out of her sight Setting the polished silver thread box carefully on the table, she selected the skeins she needed and sat with her back to the door The e on her piece of e the ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai Cracks ran across the blackandwhite disc, and there was no telling whether the hand was trying to hold it together or crush it She knehat she intended, but time