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Egished there were so, and Sheria else to say that would not quite bring a rebuke All that wene’s skin After a while, even Bryne’s levelheaded poise began to wear She found herself thinking of things she ht say that would shake his aplomb Unfortunately -- or perhaps fortunately -- she did not believe anything could But if she had to wait ht burst from sheer impatience

The sun climbed toward midday, the painfully slow miles passed behind, and at last one of the riders ahead turned and raised his hand With a hasty apology to Egwene, Bryne galloped forward It was really , Traveler, but he caught up to the outriders, exchanged a feords, then sent thewene and the others to reach him

As he fell in beside her once more, Romanda and Lelaine joined thewene’s presence, fixing Bryne with the cool serenity that had shaken so lanced sideways at the other in a considering way They hardly seewene hoped they were half as nervous as she; she would be satisfied with that

Coolly serene stares washed over Bryne like rain over that rock He wene "They’ve already arrived, Mother" That had been expected "They brought almost as many men as we did, but they’re all on the north side of the lake I’ve put scouts out toaround, but in truth, I don’t expect it"

"Let us hope you’re right," Romanda told himent has not been all it should be, of late, Lord Bryne" A frigid, cutting tone

"As you say, Aes Sedai" He wene Like Siuan, he was tied to her openly now, at least so far as the Hall was concerned If only they did not kno tightly If only she could be sure how tightly "One thing more, Mother," he went on "Talmanes is there at the lake, too There are about a hundred of the Band on the east side Not enough to cause trouble even if he wanted to, and swene ht be enough! She tasted bile It -- could -- not -- go -- wrong -- now!

"Tal She wene "How did he find out? If you’ve included Dragonsworn in your sche too far raceful! You say you’ve only learned of his presence now? If that’s so, your reputation is puffed up like a boil!" Aes Sedai calm was a thin layer for some today, it seemed

They continued in that vein, but Bryne rode on, onlythe occasional "As you say, Aes Sedai," when he had to say so this , and reacted no more It was Siuan who finally snorted, and then blushed criwene almost shook her head Siuan was very definitely in love And she very definitely needed talking to! For soht just have been because he was no longer the object of the Sitters’ attention

Trees gave way to another open space, larger than hts

Aside froh the snow, nothing na hly oval in shape Some distance froe blue canopy on tall poles, with a s about it and dozens of horses held by servants behind The breeze ruffled a bright thicket of pennants and banners, and carried muffled shouts that could only have been orders More servants darted about hastily Apparently, they had not been there long enough to finish their preparations

Perhaps a linted off th of the far shore To the east, almost as close as the pavilion, the hundredbeside their an A few of the of Tar Valon appeared The people at the pavilion stopped to look

Egwene did not pause before riding out onto the snowcovered ice She did ih, that old novice exercise She did not actually embrace saidar, but the calm that came was very welcome

Siuan and Sheriam followed, and the Sitters with their Warders, and the servants Lord Bryne and the banner behind her told of Uno putting his arhtly ar against treachery One reason the lake had been chosen was that the ice was thick enough to hold a fair number of horses, but not hundreds, much less thousands That cut down on the chance of chicanery Of course, a pavilion beyond bowshot was not beyond the range of the One Power, not if it could be seen Except that the worst man in the world knew hiwene exhaled sharply, and began acquiring cal for the A forarm drinks and cloths wrapped around hot bricks, and the lords and ladies themselves to take reins and offer a kiss in token of Abram Any visitor of rank at all would have had the servants, but no one stirred from the pavilion Bryne himself dismounted and ca man who had cowene’s stirrup His nose still dripped, but in a red velvet coat only a little too large for hiht blue cloak, he outshone any of the nobles who stood staring from under the canopy They appeared to be in stout woolens for the most part, with not much embroidery and very little silk or lace Likely they had had to scraan, and theh the siht have outshone a Tinker

Carpets had been laid to floor the pavilion, and braziers lit, though the breeze carried away heat and sations, eight in each They had not expected so ed looks of consternation, and a nu what