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Salita rose, carefully adjusting the yellow fringe of her shawl and just as carefully avoiding Ro Berana up by her sleeve Delana twisted co at the sisters outside Even in silence the spectators’ exciteether, eyes darting toward the Sitters Delana rose slowly, both hands pressed to her rimaced and stared at her hands on her knees Saroiya studied the other two White Sitters, tugging at her ear the way she did when deep in thought But no one elsein her own throat Ten Just ten She had been so sure Siuan had been so sure Logain alone should have been enough, given their ignorance of the law involved Pelivar’s ar to admit that they were Sitters should have priht!" Moria burst out Rounding on Lyrelle and Lelaine, she planted her fists on her hips If Janya’s speaking had gone against custoer were strictly forbidden in the Hall, but Moria’s eyes blazed, and her Illianer accent was thick with it "Why do you wait? Elaida did steal the stole and the staff! Elaida’s Ajah did ht kno many other men! No woman in the history of the Tower did ever deserve this declaration more! Stand, or hold silent from now about your resolve to remove her!"

Lelaine did not quite stare, but by her expression you ht she had found herself attacked by a sparrow "This is hardly worth a vote, Moria," she said in a tight voice "We will speak later about decorum, you and I Still, if you need a demonstration of resolve " With a sharp sniff, she rose, and gave a jerk of her head that pulled Lyrelle to her feet like strings Lelaine seemed surprised that it did not pull up Faiselle and Takirunted as if struck Disbelief bright on her face, she ran her eyes along the woain Takiwene breathed deep in relief It was done She could hardly believe After a moment, she cleared her throat, and Sheria as teacups, the Keeper cleared her throat, too "The lesser consensus standing, war is declared against Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan" Her voice was none too steady, but it sufficed "In the interest of unity, I ask for the greater consensus to stand"

Faiselle halfmoved, then clenched her hands in her lap Saroiya opened her , her face troubled No one else stirred

"You won’t get it," Romanda said flatly The sneer she directed across the pavilion at Lelaine was as good as a statement of why she, at least, would not stand "Now that little business is finished, we can go on with -- "

"I don’t think we can," Egwene cut in "Takima, what does the Law of War say about the A open

Takima’s lips writhed The di to take flight "The Law " she began, then took a deep breath and sat up straight "The Law of War states, ‘As one set of hands uide a sword, so the Amyrlin Seat shall direct and prosecute the war by decree She shall seek the advice of the Hall of the Tower, but the Hall shall carry out her decrees with all possible speed, and for the sake of unity, they shall " She faltered, and had to visibly force herself to go on " they shall andprosecution of the ith the greater consensus"

A long silence stretched Every eye see abruptly, Delana vomited onto the carpets behind her bench Kwamesa and Salita both climbed down and started toward her, but she waved thela and Saroiya and several others still seated looked as though they ht follow her exah Roh a nail

"Very clever," Lelaine said at last in clipped tones, and after a deliberate pause, added, "Mother Will you tell us what the great wisdom of your vast experience tells you to do? About the war, I mean I want to wene said coldly Leaning forward, she fixed the Blue Sitter sternly "A certain degree of respect is required toward the Ahter This is no time for me to have to unchair you and name a penance" Lelaine’s eyes crept wider and wider with shock Had the wo would continue as before? Or after so long not daring to show more than the tiniest backbone, had Lelaine siwene really did not want to unchair her; the Blues would almost certainly return the woman, and she still had to deal with the Hall on uised as part of the war against Elaida

From the corner of her eye, she saw a s Lelaine set down Small profit if all she did was raise Romanda’s stock with the others "That holds for everyone, Romanda," she said "If need be, Tiana can find two birches as easily as one" Romanda’s smile vanished abruptly

"If Islowly She attempted a smile, but she still looked decidedly ill "I un well There er" Romanda’s head jerked around to stare at her, but for once, Taki here, we can avoid worse weather further north, and also plan carefully -- "

"There’s an end to delays, daughter," Egwene cut in "Noour feet" Would she be another Gerra, or another Shein? Either was still possible "In one wene al’Vere, and whatever the secret histories would say of her faults and virtues, the Light only knew, but they would be hers, not copies of soe of Tar Valon"

This ti

Chapter 20

(Lion Rampant)

Into Andor

Elayne hoped that the journey to Cae, it seeht that even as she and Aviendha and Birgitte sat boneweary and huddled in the rags that re, filthy with dirt and dust and the blood of the injuries they had received when the gateway exploded In teeks at most, she would be ready to present her claims to the Lion Throne There on the hilltop, Nynaeve Healed their nu then, if unusual Relief at finding them alive