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"Not what I was hoping to use this bed for," he muttered She was not sure she had been supposed to hear

She laughed "I enjoy you holding ely, he s Her Aunt Miren claimed that was one of the three lies any ," a woman’s cool voice said from the doorway, "I suppose I could return when it is h burned, but when he pulled her back, she settled against hi in the doorway, a plump little Cairhienin with four thin stripes of color across her full bosoian Moseneillin was one of the sisters who had co as Cadsuane herself, in Min’s opinion

"Who ht you be when you’re at home?" Rand said lazily "Whoever you are, didn’t anyone ever teach you to knock?" Min realized that every h

The ian’s forehead on a thin silver chain swung as she slowly shook her head Plainly, she was not pleased "Cadsuane Sedai received your request," she said, even rets She veryon Perhaps she ht be able to see you another day If she can find tiian sniffed disdainfully "I will leave you to resu" Min wondered whether she could get aith slapping an Aes Sedai Daigian eyed her frostily, as if hearing the thought, and turned to glide from the room

Rand sat up with a o to the Pit of Doo sister "Tell her she can rot!"

"It won’t do, Rand," Min sighed This was going to be harder than she had thought "You need Cadsuane She doesn’t need you"

"Doesn’t she?" he said softly, and she shivered She had only thought his voice was dangerous before

Rand prepared carefully, dressing in the green coat again, sending Min with es for the Maidens to carry At least they would still do that His ribs ached alht side as the wounds did on his left, and his belly felt as he had been beaten with a board He had promised the to let even Min see hiain He could keep her safe, at least, somehow, but how could she feel safe if she saw hi, for her sake He had to be strong, for the world That bundle of emotions in the back of his head that was Alanna reht then, Alanna was sulking She must have pushed a Wise One too far, because if she was sitting, she was sitting gingerly

"I still think this is lunacy, Rand al’Thor," Min said as he placed the Crown of Swords carefully on his head He did not want those tiny blades to draw blood again now "Are you listening towith you You admitted you need me, and you’ll need , fists on her hips, foot tapping, eyes all but glowing

"You’re staying here," he told her firmly He was still not sure what he intended to do, not fully, and he did not want her to see hiht stuh

She frowned at hiht in her eyes faded into worry that vanished in a twinkling "Well, I suppose you’re old enough to cross the stableyard without your hand held, sheepherder Besides, I a into one of the tall gilded chairs, she folded her legs beneath her and picked up the book she had been reading when he cae before her

Rand nodded That hat he wanted; her here, and safe Still, she did not have to forget hi in the hallway outside his door They stared at hiaze the flattest of all Though Soht Nesair was Shaido; he would have to keep a hard eye on her

The Asha’, too -- Lews Therinin Rand’s head -- all but Narishon on their collars as well as the Sword Curtly, he ordered Narishuard on his apart eyes seeing tooRand did not think the Maidens would take out their displeasure on Min, but he was not taking any chances Light, he had told Narish about the traps he had woven in the Stone when he sent the s Burn him, but that had been a mad risk to take

Only madmen never trust Lews Therin sounded amused And quite mad The wounds in Rand’s side throbbed; they seemed to resonate with each other in distant pain

"Shohere to find Cadsuane," he commanded Nandera rose slance He followed, and the others fell in behind hiave them hasty instructions as they walked Flinn, of all people, tried to protest, but Rand bore hirizzled onetime Guardsman was the last Rand had expected it of Morr or Hopwil, perhaps If no longer exactly dewyeyed, they were still young enough to leave their razors dry as many days as wet But not Flinn Nandera’s soft boots h squarevaulted ceiling, chasing away everyone with the shadow of a reason for fear His wounds pulsed

Every last person in the Sun Palace knew the Dragon Reborn on sight by now, and they kneho the blackcoated men were, too Blackliveried servants ht Most nobles were almost as quick to put distance between the somewhere with purpose on their faces Ailil watched them pass with an unreadable expression Anaiyella si after him with a face to , a dark smile with neither mirth nor pleasure in it

Nandera did not speak even when they reached their destination, merely pointed to a closed door with one of her spears, turned on her heel, and strode back the way they had couard hih to keep him safe? Or was her departure an