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Nothing ives tears to others, but she has none herself

Rand laughed softly If she came today, he would ether, if they came today Most assuredly he would make the Seanchan weep

Not everyone was pleased with the orders he had given Sunaht Rand did not see Torean had a flask in his saddlebags, no doubt brandy, or maybe several flasks, because he drank steadily and never appeared to run dry Semaradrid and Marcolin and Tihera each appeared in front of Rand to protest the numbers with somber faces A few years before, close on six thousand h for any war, but they had seen armies in the tens of thousands, now, hundreds of thousands, as in Artur Haing’s day, and to go against the Seanchan, they wanted far runtled They did not understand that fiftyodd Asha’ a hammer as anyone could wish for Rand wondered what they would have said had he told the this by hiht co to take orders fro into e in s -- Rand was certain there were at least several more -- that Rand did not let him utter

"The Saldaean seeht flank," Weirah the right flank were a great insult, for soon Really, I think -- "

"I think you should get your men ready," Rand said coldly Part of the chill was the effect of floating in emotionless emptiness "Or you won’t be on any flank" He meant that he would leave the man behind if he was not ready in time Surely such a fool could not make much trouble left in this remote spot with only a few ar larger than a village

Blood drained froon co his horse away before the words ell out of his mouth His mount was a tall deepchested bay, today

The pale Lady Ailil reined to a stop in front of Rand, accoe pair to be in company, and not just because their nations hated one another Ailil was tall for a Cairhienin wo about her was dignity and precision, froloved wrist to the way her pearlcollared rain cape lay spread across the ruray mare Unlike Semaradrid or Marcolin, Weiraht of raindrops sliding down nothing around hiasp And titter behind her hand Anaiyella y and darkly beautiful, her rain cape collared with rubies and eold besides, but there any reseance and si its forelegs The prancing animal was showy, but Rand suspected it had no bottoon," Ailil said, "I ainst my inclusion in this expedition" Her voice was coolly neutral, if not exactly unfriendly "I will send my retainers where you command and when, but I have no desire at all to be in the thick of a battle"

"Oh, no," Anaiyella added, with a delicate shudder Even her tone sis, battles So o, on? We’ve heard you have a particular care for women Haven’t we, Ailil?"

Rand was so astonished that the Void collapsed, and saidin vanished Raindrops began to trickle through his hair and seep through his coat, but for a h po four women instead of two, he was too stunned to notice How much did they know? They had heard? How ht, ruase, Elayne, Colavaere, a hundred women probably, and each in a worse way than the last! He sed against the urge to sick up That was only partly saidin’s fault Burn rowl

The dead watch, Lews Therin whispered The dead never close their eyes Rand shivered

"I do try to be careful of women," he told them when he could speak Faster than a man, and for half the reason "That’s why I want keep you close the next few days But if you really dislike the idea so much, I could tell off one of the Asha’man You’d be safe at the Black Tower" Anaiyella squeaked prettily, but her face went gray

"Thank you, no," Ailil said after a moment, absolutely calm "I suppose I had best confer with my lancecaptain about what to expect" But she paused in turning herlook "My brother Toraon Even rash I am not"

Anaiyella shtly before following, but once she faced away fro in her heels and worked her jewelhandled quirt, quickly passing the other wo turn of speed

At last all was ready, the coluin," Rand told Gedheeled his horse and began barking orders to his round they hadthe rizzled fellohose pointed Tairen beard appeared odd on his wrinkled countryht turned and beca, sparsely woodedto a steep pass In Altara In the Venir Mountains

Kill theerous to live! Without thought, Rand suppressed the voice Another ht that reaction froer wondered why

Rand muttered a co to join the line and weave a ninth gateway None was as large as Rand could make, but any would pass a cart, if closely He had intended to do that hiain in front of everyone He noticed Gedwyn and Rochaid watching hi s as he talked to hi him ask